Many of us live close enough to our schools or workplaces that walking or riding a bike is a practical means of transportation. Biking and walking to school or work offers lots of benefits. Here are seven reasons why you should walk and bike to school or work!
1. Skip the traffic
One of the worst parts about driving to school or work is the morning traffic. Tempers flare during the morning rush, and the daily commute can be a frustrating time.
Choosing to walk and bike to school or work allows you to avoid the frustration that comes from getting stuck in traffic — you can actually enjoy your morning commute.
2. Save money
If your workplace or your child’s school is just a mile or two away from your home, it may not seem like it costs that much to drive. This may be true over the course of a single day, but making that commute twice a day, five times a week, racks up mileage over time.
Walking or biking can save a lot of money on gas and vehicle maintenance in the long run.
3. Help the environment
Leaving your car parked and commuting by bike or walking is an easy way to help reduce your impact on the environment. You’re making a positive difference any time that you walk or bike instead of drive, even if the distance seems so small that it’s insignificant in the grand scheme of things.
The longer your commute, the more of a difference you can make.
4. Be more active
Many people struggle to find time for exercise or physical activity each day. Making physical activity a normal part of your daily routine is a great way to be more active.
Walking or biking to school or work means more time moving and less time sitting.
5. Decrease your risk for diseases
You can reduce your risk for a number of health issues and diseases through regular physical activity. Research shows that regular exercise reduces the risk for certain chronic diseases and health problems including obesity, osteoporosis, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. New research even links muscle mass with higher survival rates for breast cancer.
Choosing to walk and bike to school or work is a simple way to help prevent health problems.
6. Improve your mental health
Some studies show that physical activity can reduce your risk for depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Walking or commuting by bicycle is satisfying, rewarding, and fun!
Here are some of the ways that exercise can improve mental health.
7. Improve your physical health
Physical activity offers physical health benefits for healthy people, those at risk for developing chronic health problems, and those who already have chronic health problems. Adding exercise to your daily routine leads to improved heart health, lung health, muscle health, bone health, and better overall health.
Being physically active is a great way to help improve your health and work towards wellness. Another great way to stay healthy is through regular meetings with your primary care physician. A fun fact: several of our family medicine doctors are biking enthusiasts, including Dr. Joshua Rankin. Talk to a doctor at MANA Family Medicine and schedule a wellness exam today!