Hot girl walks to save the Earth

How walking can help the Earth and your health, plus running shoe reviews and commuting side effects.

IN a nutshell Hello, and happy Monday! The weeks just keep flying by, don't they? Today, with the help of newsletter intern Caroline Parrish, we're kicking off another week of Wellness Wire newsletters with our main story on how self-care strolls (known on the interwebs as #HotGirlWalks) can help the planet and your health. Then, we've got: • Running shoe options for men and women • Reversing the effects of an unhealthy work commute • How many minutes of exercise you need each week • Is your skin dry or dehydrated? Be well, Morgan Mandriota Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Morgan Mandriota July 17, 2023 • 5 min read

what's got us buzzing Increase your steps and decrease your carbon footprint with "hot girl walks" With over 800 million views on TikTok, it's official: The #HotGirlWalk trend is taking over. Contrary to what its name suggests, this walk is for people of all genders and simply requires you to embody the energy of a hot girl while you strut your stuff and feel good doing it. Potential health perks. The hot girl walk (or self-care stroll, if you prefer) can offer numerous personal benefits. Physical activity can boost your brain health, help manage weight, reduce disease risk, and strengthen bones and muscles. Self-care strolls and hot girl walks, in particular, are meant to be self-reflective and confidence-boosting. (FYI: Improving your self-esteem has its own list of mental health perks.) Earthly perks. Not only is walking a great way to incorporate movement into your routine, but it can be good for the environment, too! According to the Environmental Protection Agency, if we all cut our short driving trips in half — choosing to walk instead — we could collectively save $900 million in car costs. Carbon dioxide-wise, this reduction would be the equivalent of taking 400,000 cars off the road each year. Those are some big numbers! How to heat up your walk. Creator of the trend Mia Lind says there are only two qualifiers to make your walk a "hot girl walk." Walk 2–4 miles every day for roughly an hour while thinking about three things: what you're grateful for, how you plan to achieve your goals, and how hot you are. No, we don't mean sweaty, but that, too, I guess. Read more on walking for well-being: How #HotGirlWalks can boost your mental and physical health What are the benefits of brisk walking? The key to turning your daily walk into a legit workout

great finds Editor faves with health perks       Hoka Men's Shoes Bondi 7 This comfortable, lightweight shoe scored the title of "best for cushioning" on our list of top men's running shoes of 2023. If you like extra padding around your feet, this one's for you. SHOP NOW     ASICS Women's Gel-Nimbus 24 Running Shoes This shoe is great for walks, runs, and overall workouts with its gel technology cushioning system. For more recommendations, check out our list of best women's running shoes. SHOP NOW   Every product we recommend has gone through Healthline's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline is owned by RVO Health.

Monday Kick Start How to reverse the effects of unhealthy work commutes Especially in recent months, employers are pushing for their employees to come back to the office. With in-office work comes the dreaded commute … and a whole host of potential related side effects. How is your commute affecting your health? Depending on the length of your daily trip, potential commuting consequences include sleep issues, exposure to air pollution, increased weight, and less physical activity. Long waits in traffic jams can raise your blood pressure and spike your cortisol levels. Plus, working near a local bar could lead to increased unhealthy drinking habits (and the issues that come along with heavy drinking). What can you do about it? Your daily commute might be inevitable if you can't work remotely, but there are ways to minimize its health effects. Because commuting can be a sedentary activity, remember to move whenever you can –– including biking to work, if possible. When you're not sitting at your desk, in the car, or on a train, consider stretching, going to the gym, or using desk exercise equipment like a treadmill. To beat the frustration that can stem from spending hours in traffic, try turning up your favorite music or podcast, turning off your mind, and de-stressing while you have some dedicated alone time. Commuters, chime in: How does your commute affect your well-being? Does anything help make it better? Share your experience with us at wellnesswire@healthline.com. (Please note that we may use your name and response in an upcoming newsletter!)

Health Hype How many minutes of moderate physical activity should you aim for each week? (Find the answer at the end of this email)

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Health Hype Answer How many minutes of moderate physical activity should you aim for each week? 150! According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, adults should aim to score at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic (or cardio) physical activity each week. Of course, everyone has different abilities and needs, so know that many different activities count as exercise. Simply find the forms of exercise that work best for you. If you're able, throw on a pair of comfy shoes (scroll up for our recommendations!), and take a long run or self-care stroll a couple of days per week for optimal health. Not a fan of running or walking? For other ideas, check out our list of 10 aerobic exercise examples.

Thanks for reading! Have a topic you want us to cover? Send in your requests to wellnesswire@healthline.com. As usual, Ginger will be back in your inbox on Wednesday with more health stories you need.

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