Newtown Health District and its key partners — Newtown Parks & Recreation, Newtown Senior Center, and Newtown Community Center — invite the community to join them as they spring into the season of getting outdoors.

Newtown Health District and partners have been living what they learn about the importance of building on the heart health sentiment started in February. Employees have learned about the importance of knowing your numbers (weight, waist measurement, body mass index, cholesterol, blood sugar, triglycerides) as well as the importance of knowing the signs of heart attack and stroke and the life saving value of CPR and defibrillator use.

Town employees then moved onto one of their favorite subjects — food — and good nutrition, which was the theme for March.

In April the momentum continues while building on American Heart Association’s Start Walking Day, and in Newtown, the Health District is making April Move More Newtown Month.

Walking is the most accessible, least expensive way to incorporate physical activity into anyone’s life.

There are countless ways to can get active, but walking has the lowest dropout rate of them all, according to Newtown Health District. It’s a simplest positive change that will improve heart health.

Research has shown that walking at least 30 minutes a day can help:

*Reduce risk of coronary heart disease and stroke;

*Improve blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and blood lipid profile;

*Maintain body weight and lower the risk of obesity;

*Enhance mental well-being;

*Reduce the risk of osteoporosis;

*Reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer; and

*Reduce the risk of non-insulin dependent (type 2) diabetes.

National Walking Day is April 1. Newtown Health District and its partners will host a Move More Newtown Kick-Off Walk at 10 am Wednesday. All are invited to join Town employees in front of Newtown Community Center, 8 Simpson Street, where a group photo will be taken before everyone begins a walk around the building. The walk will be approximately one half mile.

American Heart Association has great tips on stretching, shoes, preventing injury, what to wear, different times of day to walk, and, of course, the health benefits. Visit heart.org/en/healthy-living/fitness#national-walking-day to learn more.

Move More Events

Additional Move More Newtown events have been planned. The first is Walk With Wendy, coordinated through Newtown Senior Center. NSC Assistant Wendy Devereaux will lead the walk stepping off at 10 am Wednesday, April 8.

Registration is requested and available through the senior center; call 203-270-4310.

A Community Walk & Play is scheduled for the following afternoon, Thursday, April 9, at Dickinson Memorial Park on Elm Drive.

For that event, all are invited to head to the park’s pavilion at 5 pm, when a 20 minute leisurely walk will follow Barb’s Trail.

Participants will then be welcome to enjoy a picnic dinner and/or spend time on the playground.

Additional events are planned. For further information contact Newtown Health District, 203-270-4291 or health.district@newtown-ct.gov.