Walking Basics

Consider taking a walk on your lunch break everyday instead of working, keeping your eyes glued to a phone screen, or sitting and quickly eating. The walk doesn’t need to be very long. If you have an hour or even a half hour for lunch, then take even a twenty minute walk. Walking can improve your cardiovascular health. It is also important to take a break from your work environment, ESPECIALLY when it is busy so that you can recharge and return refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of the tasks for the day.

Consider changing up your route so you don’t get bored, or even ask a coworker to join you. Make sure you wear comfortable shoes on your walk. After you warm up for a few minutes consider incorporating a few stretches of your overworked neck, shoulders, arms, wrists and hands and even your hips, calves, and hamstrings. If you have the time, begin and end your walk at a slower pace with a faster, more intense pace in the middle.

When walking keep your spine straight and your chin parallel to the floor looking forward. Pull your belly button in towards the spine and up to stay engaged. Slightly tuck your tailbone under and push your hips forward to avoid arching your back. Think about walking from heel to toe and gently push off your toe and then bring the back leg forward to start with the heel again. Continue this rolling motion instead of pounding your feet into the ground.