Step Into Health: UAB Shares Five Tips for Walking to Wellness

By Katherine Kirk | uabnews.com Walking is an everyday activity that offers numerous benefits. It is accessible to almost everyone and can improve both mental and physical health. Experts at the University of Alabama at Birmingham have studied the benefits of walking and provide five tips to get started. “There are many ways in which people customize their walking session, including changing the intensity, duration and terrain,” said Kelley Pettee Gabriel, Ph.D., professor in the UAB Department of Epidemiology and associate dean for research in the School of Public Health. “No matter your age, movement capability or environment, you can reap the benefits of walking.” Kelley Pettee Gabriel, Ph.D., professor in the UAB Department of Epidemiology. (UAB) Walking, or rolling if using a wheelchair, benefits everyone by promoting overall health and well-being. It helps with weight management, reduces disease risk, including heart disease, and improves overall physical and mental well-being. “Our bodies are meant to move; movement releases endorphins, making us feel happier and clearheaded,” Gabriel said. Find A Safe Environment Walking is a great starting point for improving health since it does not require a gym membership or a lot of equipment. Gabriel says the first step is to...