Most Penn Staters can agree that a 15 minute walk is next to nothing. Leaving a half hour early for class? Normal! But what some Penn Staters may not realize is how many benefits there are to skipping the White Loop and taking a stroll to every class. VALLEY is here to fill you in on the many advantages of walking to class.
Physical Health
First and foremost is physical health. Walking is an activity that burns calories and works muscles. With crazy college schedules, finding time to squeeze in a workout can be a challenge. Walking to class can make up for what was missed on the treadmill. A walk from the edge of the HUB lawn to Forum is half a mile, and a full mile round trip. No matter what else happens in a day, that’s already a full mile of physical exercise.
Walking, especially through the hilly campus of Penn State, tones and develops various muscles in the lower body. It is also proven that frequent walkers burn more calories at rest than those who do not walk frequently. Further, walking can help with the prevention of diseases such as type 2 diabetes and various heart conditions. Penn State’s campus offers students the perfect opportunity to take advantage of these physical benefits, so get on out there!
Mental Health
Mental health is absolutely vital to take care of, especially in the high stress environment of college. Luckily for Penn State students, walking has been shown to boost mental health. Not only this, but taking a nice walk can also reduce stress and anxiety, and improve self-esteem. The physical activity of walking boosts endorphins, which cause people to feel less stress and more positive feelings.
Not only is the act of walking good for mental health, but so is fresh air in general. Even in the winter! According to Dixie Sandborn of Michigan State University in this article, breathing fresh air causes lungs to work at their full capability and leads to a positive increase in mood and productivity. Next time the stress of college or a gray day is too much to handle, try bundling up and stepping outside, even in bad weather!
Environmentally Friendly
Looking around at the amount of cars driving through State College can certainly put into perspective the damage being done to the earth. By walking to class, valuable resources are being saved as well as reducing greenhouse gases. It is an easy way to create a smaller carbon footprint. According to Iowa Healthiest State Initiative, motor vehicles account for nearly 80 percent of carbon monoxide emissions in the Unites States. By simply leaving for class a few minutes early and walking, Penn State can help to reduce this number significantly.
Avoiding the Buses
All students at Penn State have a love-hate relationship with the downtown CATA buses. They are convenient and run well, but just so crowded. Nobody wins when they’re smushed between a backpack and a stranger and have to hope they don’t stomp on the toes of those around them. Luckily for bus riders, there is an easy solution to avoid this situation, and it’s by walking!
Not only can walking eliminate the stress and frustration of a crowded bus, but it also allows for more social interaction. Penn State is a big school, but it feels small because of the tight-knit community. The chances of passing a friend walking through campus are pretty high.
Penn State being a walkable campus is something that Penn Staters pride themselves on and there are countless reasons to take advantage of it. Improving physical and mental health, seeing friends and avoiding crowded buses all while being environmentally friendly! Eventually students will graduate and become commuters who sit in traffic every day, so be sure to take advantage of getting outdoors while the opportunity is there.
Tweet us, @VALLEYmag, with your thoughts on walking to class!
Related
6 Substitutions You Can Make Right Now To Support the Environment
hello there and thank you in your information – I’ve definitely picked up anything new from proper here. I did alternatively experience several technical points the usage of this website, as I experienced to reload the web site many instances prior to I could get it to load correctly. I had been wondering if your web hosting is OK? Now not that I’m complaining, however sluggish loading circumstances occasions will very frequently have an effect on your placement in google and can harm your high-quality ranking if advertising and ***********|advertising|advertising|advertising and *********** with Adwords. Anyway I am including this RSS to my e-mail and can glance out for a lot extra of your respective exciting content. Make sure you replace this once more very soon..
Perfect piece of work you have done, this site is really cool with superb information.
I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.
Hmm is anyone else experiencing problems with the images on this blog loading? I’m trying to figure out if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.
Very efficiently written story. It will be helpful to anyone who employess it, as well as yours truly :). Keep up the good work – i will definitely read more posts.
What’s Going down i’m new to this, I stumbled upon this I’ve discovered It positively helpful and it has helped me out loads. I’m hoping to contribute & aid other users like its aided me. Good job.
You actually make it seem so easy along with your presentation however I in finding this matter to be really something that I feel I’d by no means understand. It sort of feels too complicated and extremely wide for me. I am having a look ahead in your next put up, I will try to get the grasp of it!
Some genuinely fantastic articles on this internet site, regards for contribution. “When he has ceased to hear the many, he may discern the One – the inner sound which kills the outer.” by H Hahn Blavatsky.
I’d always want to be update on new blog posts on this website , bookmarked! .
I was very pleased to find this web-site.I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.