Ways You Can Celebrate "Take A Walk In The Park Day"

Can you feel it? Earth, she is waking up. Soon the lands will spring to life in a ray of colors. Trees’ bare branches will swing in the breeze with new leaves, helping bring cleaner air for life to breathe. What a great time to get out and breath it all in. Disconnect from the internet and reconnect with Nature by taking a walk in the park during Take a Walk in the Park Day, on March 30.

Not sure how the weather will cooperate on this day in your area? As of writing this article, the Weather site is saying on March 30, Princeton, Illinois will be partly cloudy with a high at 58 degrees with a 20 percent chance of precipitation. We know the weather, it can change at any time.

What the heck is Take A Walk in the Park Day?

I went on a search to try to find who created the day, yet did not find the person or persons. Whomever you are, thank you.

Take a Walk in the Park Day is a day to remind ourselves that we must get off our computers and smartphones and get out into the world. It is a day to get back in touch with Mother Nature and all life that springs forth from her. It is a day to remind ourselves that getting out helps improve our lives, physically and mentally.

Physical Activity: What Can It Do?

Any physical activity can improve sleep, help you feel better, and function better. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report, physical activity, like walking in a park, improves our sleep. Physical activity helps with brain functions, reduces depression, reduces anxiety and enhances life overall.

Physical activity can help maintain a healthy weight, reduce dementia, improve cognitive function, improves bone health in young children, and aids in reducing falls in older adults.

How to achieve the benefits of physical activity.

The Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report suggests we should have 150 to 300 minutes a week of moderate to intensive physical activity.

If you are an inactive person, much like I am, start small. Change one of your sedentary behaviors with light physical activity*.

Instead of using an elevator, try the stairs: Start off a floor at a time and work your way up to taking all the stairs over the elevator.
Parking: Parking further away from the office or stores. Start small and build up. The stronger you get walking from the car to the building, the further away you can park.
Walking: On your lunch hour, take a walk around the office building, in a park, or around a store. You can volunteer at your local animal shelter and walk dogs.

Now, if you are active, then the moderate-to-vigorous physical activity* is right up your alley. You are probably doing:

Backpacking
Mountain climbing or rock climbing
Running
Hiking up hills
Aerobics
If you are in a wheelchair:
- Racing
- Basketball
- Skiing

WARNING: Before* beginning this or any exercise program, consult your physician.

How to celebrate Take a Walk in the Park Day

Take a Walk in the Park Day is a great day for friends and family. You disconnect from the virtual world and reconnect in the real world. You spend time with your family, walking around at your local park. You can catch up with your children’s adventures at school and listen to them gossip about their friends.

You can hold hands with your significant other, rekindling your romance and talking about everything under the sun. You can hang out with your friends and catch up on old times. The possibilities are endless.

You can visit a state park and go for a hike. Where I live, places like Starved Rock State Park is a favorite hiking destination. You can, and should, make a weekend out of it. They have events happening on weekends all the time. I went to one in February on dog sledding.

If Starved Rock is too much for you, there is Buffalo Rock, where two American bison call home. It is near to Starved Rock.

I have been to both places, and walking Starved Rock State Park, well, it is a workout. Especially climbing all those steps. Make sure you have plenty of water and take breaks. Use the time to take pictures of your family and friends, and of the wildlife along with all of Mother Nature’s scenery.

Check out your local park district to see if they are doing anything on Take a Walk in the Park Day, or that weekend.

Sheldon Lake State Park and Environmental Learning Center in Huston, Texas is having an event on March 30, at 11 AM to 12:30 PM.

K9 Coffee Bar and Sards Bark Park in Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape in South Africa is having a gathering with the dogs on March 30 at 8:30 AM until 4 PM.

How will you celebrate this day?