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
I got what you intend, thankyou for posting.Woh I am pleased to find this website through google. “You must pray that the way be long, full of adventures and experiences.” by Constantine Peter Cavafy.
Respect to post author, some superb information .
Merely wanna remark on few general things, The website style and design is perfect, the written content is very wonderful. “Art for art’s sake makes no more sense than gin for gin’s sake.” by W. Somerset Maugham.
Magnificent site. Plenty of useful information here. I’m sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious. And of course, thanks for your effort!
Magnificent beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how can i subscribe for a blog website? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I had been tiny bit acquainted of this your broadcast offered bright clear concept
Definitely believe that that you stated. Your favourite reason seemed to be at the net the easiest factor to have in mind of. I say to you, I certainly get irked even as other people consider concerns that they plainly don’t realize about. You controlled to hit the nail upon the top as well as defined out the whole thing without having side effect , other people could take a signal. Will likely be again to get more. Thank you
Some really nice and utilitarian info on this website , likewise I think the style and design holds excellent features.
I haven’t checked in here for some time because I thought it was getting boring, but the last several posts are great quality so I guess I’ll add you back to my daily bloglist. You deserve it my friend 🙂
Wonderful goods from you, man. I have understand your stuff previous to and you are just extremely wonderful. I really like what you’ve acquired here, certainly like what you’re stating and the way in which you say it. You make it enjoyable and you still care for to keep it smart. I can’t wait to read far more from you. This is actually a tremendous web site.
After study a few of the blog posts on your website now, and I truly like your way of blogging. I bookmarked it to my bookmark website list and will be checking back soon. Pls check out my web site as well and let me know what you think.