Get Healthy – Take an Urban Hike

May 13, 2016

SILVER SPRING, MD-May, 2016 – In a nation where home gym equipment frequently ends up gathering dust shortly after it’s purchased and only 1 in 5 American adults meet the CDC’s minimal physical activity guidelines, we know that “business as usual” just isn’t working.

In their about-to-be-released report, Hiking Trails in America: Pathways to Health, American Hiking Society shows how hiking – including urban hiking – can be just the thing that helps get people on the path to better health, offering benefits such as lower blood pressure, healthier body weight, and an improved mental outlook.

According to Gregory Miller, Ph.D., President of American Hiking Society, “Hiking doesn’t necessarily mean trekking up a mountain or going deep into the backcountry; it can be any recreational walking in a natural environment.” Miller added that many cities now have trails and that the majority of trails include greenery along the trail that allows people to reap the health benefits of being in nature.

American Hiking Society encourages all Americans to find a trail near them and enjoy a brisk hike on it a few times a week. “Make it close to home,” suggested Peter Olsen, American Hiking Society’s Vice President. “If the trail is too distant you’ll be less likely to hike regularly no matter how much fun it is. Then reward yourself by hiking on a new trail on weekends.”

Join American Hiking Society as it outlines the path forward and issues a call to action on Thursday, May 26, at the Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC, from 9:00 am to 10:00 a.m. Speakers include Thomas Tidwell, Chief of U.S. Forest Service, Representatives Earl Blumenauer (OR-03) and Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01), Co-chairs of the House Trails Caucus, and Denise Ryan, Deputy Director, National Park Service.

RSVP:  POlsen@AmericanHiking.org.

Founded in 1976, American Hiking Society is the only national, recreation-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s hiking trails, their surrounding natural areas and the hiking experience. To learn more about American Hiking Society and its mission and programs, please visit www.AmericanHiking.org or call (301) 565-6704.