Less stress and a better mood begin with one step.
Source: NM Department of Health
The New Mexico Department of Health’s (NMHealth) Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program reminds everyone how a walk – even a short 15-minute walk – everyday can make a big difference in your health and how you feel.
“Walking is one of the best ways to manage stress, reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke and boost your mood,” said Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program Manager Lindsey Goodhue. “Even moderate exercise helps you to manage stress, and benefits your heart, body and mind.”
Wednesday, April 3 is National Walking Day. Established by the American Heart Association (AHA), it is one of many ways the AHA and NMHealth highlight the risks of heart disease, which was the leading cause of death in New Mexico in 2021.
Many risk factors can be managed or prevented with lifestyle changes and medication. NMHealth’s Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program works with its partners, using a comprehensive, evidence-based approach, to promote healthy living to prevent and control these risk factors.
Remember, exercise is one of the best ways to keep your body healthy and release stress. Chronic stress can impact your emotional and physical health and stress can increase your risk for heart attack and stroke.
One in four U.S. adults sits for longer than eight hours each day, which can have negative consequences on physical and mental health. A recent study found that swapping just 30 minutes of sitting with low-intensity physical activity reduced risk of death by 17%. If everyone increased their activity, even by a small amount, we would see an improvement in health and lower the cost of disease in the United States.
Regular exercise improves mood, boosts energy and can even help you sleep better. Even moderate exercise will help you to manage stress, and benefit your heart, body and mind.
For more information visit NMHealth’s Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention program and the American Heart Association.
