The American Heart Association is celebrating National Walking Day by encouraging people to move more and raise awareness about the benefits of movement for a healthy lifestyle.

The American Heart Association, the nation’s oldest and largest organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, established National Walking Day to encourage people to move more throughout their day. This year, as the organization celebrates its centennial, communities across the country are invited to participate in National Walking Day on Wednesday, April 3, by taking a walk and raising awareness about the benefits of movement.

“The American Heart Association is a relentless force for building healthier communities, one step at a time,” said Steven Kelley, president and CEO of Ellenville Regional Hospital and chair of the 2024 Hudson Valley Heart Walk on April 27. “National Walking Day demonstrates the progress that can happen when people come together and take steps, big or small, to improve the health of their communities.”

Walking is one of the simplest ways to stay active and reduce stress. It can help improve mood and sleep, and lower the risk of developing some diseases. The American Heart Association recommends that people ask colleagues, friends, and family to join them in participating in National Walking Day by taking a conference call on the go if they work remotely, or by getting moving together with pets.

For more information about National Walking Day and other resources for staying healthy, visit the American Heart Association’s website.