One U.S. governor is telling Americans to take a hike – literally.
West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey is encouraging residents to get out and walk at least one mile every day.
The state intends to designate official “Mountaineer Mile trails” in its 32 state parks with hiking trails.
The MAHA-supporting governor spoke with Fox News Digital on Tuesday, during HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy’s announcement of impending food dye bans.
“We’re gaining traction with our Mountaineer Mile, and everyone understands the value of getting outside and working and walking. That’s really gaining traction in West Virginia,” Morrisey explained.
According to the governor, restoring Americans’ health will necessitate a multifaceted approach to lowering obesity, diabetes, stroke, and congestive heart failure rates.
“You’re taking the crap out of the food and incentivizing people to eat good food.” We’re making sure people are working and living purposeful lives, and we’re also encouraging them to get outside and exercise.”
Health benefits of hiking
According to the National Park Service, hiking can help strengthen muscles and bones, improve balance, boost heart health, and reduce the risk of respiratory problems.
“150 minutes of walking a week has been shown to extend your lifespan by up to seven years.”
Celebrity trainer Jillian Michaels has emphasized the benefits of walking, previously telling Fox News Digital that she encourages Americans to set daily step goals.
“150 minutes of walking a week has been shown to extend your lifespan by up to seven years,” she told reporters at the time. “Something simple like that goes such a long way.”
Starting with a simple goal of 5,000 steps per day and using a walking pad is a great place to start, according to Michaels.
Hiking in nature has also been linked to reduced anxiety and depression.
Stanford researchers discovered that people who walked for 90 minutes in a natural outdoor setting had lower activity in a region of the brain associated with depression.
“These results suggest that accessible natural areas may be vital for mental health in our rapidly urbanizing world,” said co-author Gretchen Daily, the Bing Professor in Environmental Science and a senior fellow at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment, in a study report.
“Our findings can help inform the growing movement worldwide to make cities more livable, and to make nature more accessible to all who live in them.”
