Transparency is extremely important to us, so we are letting you know that we may receive a commission on some of links you click on from this page. See our disclaimer.

Today is the American Heart Association's National Walking Day, and according to the USA Today, it's not an activity to be done alone.

In fact, it just might be the perfect workplace wellness activity. The post begins one Illinois employee who, every day “with at least two co-workers, takes a brisk 20 to 40 minute walk outside… The group, which sometimes grows to as many as 10 people, has been walking together for eight years.”

The piece continues: “People who join walking groups can reap substantial health benefits, a growing body of research suggests.”

“A recent analysis of 42 studies found increases in fitness and reductions in blood pressure, cholesterol, heart rate, body fat and body mass index among people who participated in outdoor walking groups. The analysis, published in The British Journal of Sports Medicine, also found significant decreases in depression.”

“The findings were especially striking because most of the participants had chronic health problems. Those problems included arthritis, dementia, diabetes, fibromyalgia, obesity, Parkinson's disease and depression.”

The AHA offers tips on how to “Start or Join a Walking Club,” as well as just about anything you'd want to know about the health benefits of walking here.