With the recent coronavirus (COVID-19) keeping Arkansans home more, the American Heart Association won’t let that stop the Heart Walk — though it does mean big changes for this year.
Instead of gathering together on Saturday, April 25, the Central Arkansas Heart Walk will be held virtually by way of its website and Facebook page. By participating and donating to the Central Arkansas Heart Walk, you are supporting the lifesaving mission of the American Heart Association during this current public health crisis and beyond.
To register, visit CentralArkansasHeartWalk.org. From there, participants can stay up-to-date by downloading the Heart Walk mobile app and encourage friends and family to join via e-mail or on social media. On the day of the walk, everyone is encouraged to wear their Heart Walk shirt and post pictures and videos to document their activity using #ARHeartWalk. (Pro tip: Make sure those posts are public so they can be seen and shared.)
Now, more than ever during this time of physical distancing, it’s important to find new ways to boost physical and emotional health. With schools and gyms closed, our exercise routines are anything but routine. In fact, we can use this time as an opportunity to switch up our workout regimen, which can help boost your immune system, help relieve mental stress and improve overall health.
Here are some practical and easy-to-use resources to help you and your loved ones keep moving, whether inside or outdoors:
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Get the whole family moving from home. Finding ways to be more active around the house sets a good example for kids and can help you stay on top of housework. Use these tips to combine exercise with other activities.
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25 ways to get moving at home. Running out of ideas to get yourself and your kids active? Try some of our 25 ways to get moving at home.
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Create an at-home circuit workout. Circuits can be a great way to work out without any extra equipment. Use these tips to create your at-home workout routine.
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Stay loose with these binge breaks – It’s important to take time to stretch your muscles before and after exercising. Set an alarm to remind yourself to take a break to stretch.
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Don’t make excuses to overdo it on screen time. It’s easy to use this time at home to binge watch shows or scroll on screens. Instead use this time wisely to connect with the family and get them moving.
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Grab your sneakers and head outside! Walking is one of the easiest and most effective ways of exercising just remember to remain at a safe distance.
Chaired by William Clark, the 2020 Central Arkansas Heart Walk is presented by CHI St. Vincent. Additional sponsors include Chair Sponsor Clark Contractors, Health Advantage, Arkansas Health and Wellness, Arkansas Urology, JTS Financial Services, Alice 107.7 and KARK 4 News