Some of us don’t have the option to walk or ride a bike to work. The commute from the suburbs to an office downtown is simply too far. But that doesn’t mean you can’t ditch the gas-guzzler for other events in your life, such as a trip to the park with the family, or even a quick stop at the grocery store. Whether you need a car for certain things or not, there are plenty of opportunities to leave it in the garage and get out on your bike or travel courtesy of your own two feet instead. And there are a ton of good reasons to do so. Here are just a few that could have you hanging your keys on the hook by the door and opting to go gas-free.
1. Fitness. This is the major reason that many people opt for non-mechanical locomotion. Most doctors agree that thirty minutes of exercise 3-4 times a week is the minimum to preserve proper cardiac function. And once you get out there and remember how good it feels to move your limbs, you’ll understand that our bodies weren’t designed to be sedentary. By walking or riding a bike on a regular basis, you’ll build muscle, improve stamina, and leave your body feeling better overall.
2. Weight loss. Engaging in cardio exercise is a great way to ensure that you reach your weight loss goals (in tandem with a healthy diet). By increasing both your cardio-pulmonary and respiratory systems through hiking and biking, you’ll start to burn more calories than you would by sitting in a car (obviously). And when you burn more energy than you consume, you start to lose weight. So if you’re looking for a good way to get on track and further your weight-loss goals, try subbing in a bike ride for your next trip to a nearby location.
3. Stress reduction. Exercise has been proven to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and generally leave you feeling great (physically, mentally, and emotionally) by flooding your system with endorphins. In addition, spending time in beautiful, natural settings is known to increase overall feelings of happiness and satisfaction (unlike staring at the car in front of you as it inches ahead, foot by agonizing foot). So make a plan to get outdoors and breathe the fresh air (instead of smoggy emissions) if you want to blow off some steam and feel better about your day.
4. Socializing. A car ride can certainly provide an environment for social interaction, but if you’re the one behind the wheel, you should really keep your focus on the road. On the other hand, going for a bike ride, a leisurely stroll, or even a power walk with a friend will offer plenty of opportunity to catch up on gossip about the neighbors or discuss current events.
5. Zero emissions. Aside from all of the wonderful benefits you can personally gain from opting to leave your automobile behind, you can also do something good for the Earth. Your bicycle and your body are both emission-free, so when you choose to use them instead of a car, you cut down on the greenhouse gases that are currently polluting the air we breathe and putting a hole in our ozone.
Sarah Danielson writes for Kanetix, where you can shop around for auto insurance and find a great deal.
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