With the snow finally melting and the spring flowers blooming, it’s about time to lace up your shoes and hit the pavement!

We encourage our employees to participate in charity walks, runs, 5Ks, and marathons to get involved in the community and give back in a fun and healthy way.   

Running is a great activity for cardiovascular health but can also improve overall health and mental well-being. For example, running on a regular basis can raise levels of good cholesterol while also improving lung function, boost your immune system, and lower your risk of developing blood clots. In addition, running can also help lower the risk of cancer and stroke and many doctors recommend running to reverse early stages of diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis! Emotionally speaking, running helps increase endorphins and can help with depression and anxiety issues as well.  

Although the health benefits list goes on and on, there is one aspect of running that’s easily overlooked — choosing the right shoe for optimal performance. In fact, not choosing the right shoe for the job (or simply not replacing shoes that are worn out) can exacerbate issues like shin splints and plantar fasciitis. Before you hit the pavement this season, learn about how to choose the right shoes and why in our latest Wellness Wednesday Video below featuring our wellness director, Tracey Orman.  

Happy running!  

Interested in more wellness tips? Learn more about the business case for investing in your employees' health below.