International Walking Day Stop for a minute. Go outside. Don't run, don't go to work or the store. Just walk. Wherever your eyes take you. On June 13, the world celebrates International Walking Day (World Walking Day). An unofficial but very necessary holiday. In the hustle and bustle of cities, where we move by car, bus, subway, we have forgotten how to walk. But walking is the most natural movement of man. It heals the body, calms the mind, saves from depression. On this day, millions of people in different countries leave their cars and head to parks, forests, waterfronts. Let's figure out why a walk is not a waste of time, but an investment. The History of the Holiday: from WHO to Social Media World Walking Day was initiated by the World Health Organization (WHO) in the 1990s as part of a campaign to combat inactivity. The WHO European Regional Office proposed celebrating it on the first Saturday in June. Later, the date was linked to June 13 — the day when summer begins in the Northern Hemisphere, and the weather is favorable for walking. In Russia, the holiday has been popular since the 2010s, especially in environmental and fitness communities. In 2026, Walking Day falls on a Saturday, which is ideal for a family outing. Health Benefits: Walking as Medicine Moderate walking reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases by 30%, type 2 diabetes by 40%, hypertension by 35%. Bones and joints are strengthened (preventing osteoporosis). The work of the intestines improves, the level of "bad" cholesterol decreases. Walking burns calories (about 300 kcal per hour at a brisk pace). But the main thing is the psychological effect: a walk in the fresh air reduces cortisol levels, improves mood, increases creativity (by 60% according to studies). It is enough to walk briskly for 30 minutes 5 times a week to notice a difference. How Walking Affects the Brain During walking, blood circulation in the brain is activated, memory and concentration improve. Especially ... Read more