Back in the spring, we were excited to hear that neighborhood business, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, chose Burnside Park as the gathering place on National Walk at Lunch Day, an event designed to encourage people to get out and walk at lunchtime. BCBS employees were joined by Mayor Elorza, Miss Rhode Island, and many other people who work in the neighborhood on a walking loop around the city.
Studies show many mental and physical health benefits for people when they have access to quality urban parks. Access to parks increases the likelihood to exercise, which helps reduce obesity and the problems and costs associated with it. A study conducted by Stanford University even found evidence linking walks in nature to lower risks of depression.
Now that summer is here, there are no excuses not to get out into the parks and walk at lunchtime. Here’s what Patrick Connors (pictured below in the blue vest), Senior Wellness Consultant at Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island, has to say about getting out and walking at lunch.
What was the inspiration for National Walk at Lunch Day?
Finding time in your busy schedule to participate in physical activity can be difficult. But taking a walk is one of the simplest, safest, and most effective forms of exercise. According to a 2013 Mayo Clinic study (“Walking: Trim your waistline, improve your health”), regular walking — particularly at a brisk pace of 3 mph — can substantially reduce the risk of developing heart disease, stroke and diabetes. Simply performing 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five times a week has significant health benefits and can lower the risk of developing or dying from hypertension or type 2 diabetes, and improve the health of muscles, bones and joints.
What are some of the health benefits of taking a walk in the middle of the day?
Taking a walk at lunch is designed to complement—not compete with—busy lifestyles. It provides the perfect opportunity to get up from your desk and get on your feet. The benefits are not just physical but mental as well. Getting up and walking helps to clear your head and gives your brain a break too. More and more people are starting to turn their normal working lunches into walking lunches. Take a look around Providence and you will see pairs of sneakers and suits talking and walking. The best part is you accomplish two goals — the meeting and getting in those steps.
What else can people who work in our neighborhood do at lunchtime to help stay healthy?
This is why Providence is so great — there is so much to do. You can take a walk by the river, or up on College Hill. There are yoga classes, fitness classes or even walking clubs you can join all around the city and at any level. Getting started is as easy as putting on your sneakers or a quick Google search to find any activity that suits you.
As one of downtown’s local businesses, what is your favorite way to enjoy our city’s parks?
- A benefit to being downtown is that we are in walking distance to a number of parks and can explore
- I enjoy working out in parks because I can get creative in utilizing the features unique to that park to do some different exercises
- We’re also fortunate to have opportunities to volunteer and donate time at various events being held at city parks – we’ve supported an initiative to bring healthy lunches and activities to parks across the city during the summer in 2015 through a Blue Angel grant.
What is your favorite spot for a healthy lunch in Providence?
Finding time is a challenge for me too. I actually enjoy bringing my lunch from home so when I have the opportunity and the weather cooperates, my favorite thing to do is take a walk over to Waterplace Park and sit on a bench, people watch and eat my lunch. I get a little break from the office, get a few steps in and enjoy the scenery. I even get to catch up with associates while they are out walking too, who I otherwise wouldn’t get to see that much from my office.
If you could share one little known fact or fun story about working in the neighborhood, what would it be?
WaterFire is an award-winning installation of 81 braziers in the Woonasquatucket River that brings around 40,000 spectators a year.
The post It’s summer! Get out & Walk at Lunch appeared first on Downtown Providence Parks Conservancy - DPPC.