Have you gotten outside for some fresh air? Taken a walk with friends or family? Better yet, have you signed up for Walk Kansas? 

While Walk Kansas kicked off on Sunday, March 22, there is still time to register your team and see how far you can walk between now and May 16.

Walk Kansas is an eight-week K-State Extension (KSE) health initiative that promotes personal health and well-being by helping participants adopt healthful lifestyle habits. While primarily a team-based program, you can also go solo! Walk Kansas will help you:

• be more active with support from friends and family,

• make healthier nutrition and beverage choices, and

• learn helpful techniques to reduce stress, sleep well, and improve overall well-being.

This marks the 26th Walk Kansas program. Each year brings a renewed focus on helping participants meet the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans and increasing the amount of fruits and vegetables they eat.

If you follow us on social media, we’ll be posting a weekly newsletter which includes a recipe and I’m looking forward to trying the Mediterranean Chicken Bake that will be available this week. Our Cottonwood Extension District team would love to see you share pictures of your team on our posts!

I am definitely not a runner but my family would tell you that I regularly “power walk” everywhere. However, many other activities count toward our weekly minutes, including gardening, team sports, and strengthening exercises. The Walk Kansas Activity Guide (walkkansas.org/doc/participant/WK.Activity.Guide.26.pdf) is a great resource for other ways to increase your activity! Keep learning. Keep showing grace and kindness!

Michelle Beran is a Family and Community Wellness Agent in the Cottonwood Extension District. For more information on this or other K-State Extension resources, email Michelle at mberan@ksu.edu or call Cottonwood Extension District – Barton Office at 620-793-1910.