DOTHAN, Alabama – Sometimes, it’s easy to forget that walking is one of the most simple and effective forms of exercise. A Dothan nursing home will help lead the way in making sure people don’t take walking for granted this month. Residents and staff at Westside Terrace Healthcare will be on the move to celebrate National Walk @ Lunch Day®.  Escorted by staff, residents will show their support for the health benefits of walking April 5 at 12:30 p.m. with a stroll outside the facility’s perimeter. The event will feature music and a healthy lunch.

Created by the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, National Walk @ Lunch Day® was designed 12 years ago to encourage busy people to walk during their lunch break and start a healthy routine. According BlueCross BlueShield of Alabama, more than 100,000 people participated in National Walk @ Lunch Day events in Alabama in 2017.  Many more thousands  across  the nation have walked during the annual event to encourage more people, regardless of their age or lifestyle, to adopt small changes for greater overall health.

“Walking is such a simple exercise that has so many great benefits, especially for older people,” Westside Terrace administrator Kristie Hughes said. “Regularly walking for 30 minutes a day improves circulation, reduces stress, strengthens muscles and bones, helps longevity, and slows mental decline.”

Hughes hopes everyone in the community will follow Westside’s example and remember to bring their walking shoes to work and take time out of their day to make some positive steps. “It’s so important to keep moving throughout our lives so we can avoid or lessen chronic disease problems,” Hughes said. “Walking is a free exercise that requires no equipment, but it can give us back so much.”