Tomorrow is Walk To Work Day, and if that wasn’t enough encouragement to lace up your sneakers and get moving, here are four more reasons you should. If you don’t live in a reasonable distance to your place of work, why not step out for a stroll when you get home?

Improve heart health

Researchers at Binghamton University in the US have found moderately intensive walking can reduce your risk of heart disease by changing biological markers such as cholesterol, weight and blood pressure. Study participants walked 150 minutes per week for 10 weeks and showed improved cardiovascular risk factors. Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death in New Zealand, killing one person every 90 minutes. Other risk factors include physical inactivity, low fruit and vegetable intake, alcohol consumption and smoking.

Boost brain power

Researchers in New Mexico Highlands University found that the foot’s impact during walking sends pressure waves through the arteries, which can increase the supply of blood to the brain. This increased blood ow brings glucose and other nutrients to the organ.

Reduce body fat

The pace at which you walk influences fat loss. Researchers from the University of Virginia found that people who did three shorter, fast-paced walks plus two longer, moderate-paced walks each week lost ve times more belly fat than those who strolled at a moderate speed five days a week.

Enhance mood

Researchers at the Queensland University of Technology found walking can improve the quality of life for depressed women. Their study showed that women who averaged 200 minutes of walking every week felt better emotionally, had more energy and were more sociable.

Discover what your walk says about you.