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Walking can be one of the best ways to get exercise?and stay healthy. You can walk alone, with a pet, or with a partner ¨C even a socially distant one if you walk at least 6 feet apart or on opposite sides of the street. You also can try chatting with someone on a hands-free device while walking. All you need is a good pair of shoes and a safe place to walk.

Brisk walking can help you maintain a healthy weight, strengthen your bones and muscles, and improve your balance and coordination. It can boost your mood and help you sleep better. It also burns calories: a 150-pound person walking briskly will burn about 297 calories per hour. Research shows that getting regular physical activity and staying at a healthy weight can help reduce your risk of cancer as well as heart disease and diabetes.

A brisk walk counts as a moderate-intensity activity. The American Cancer Society recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity each week. If that¡¯s more than you can do right now, do as much as you can and work your way up. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, even just 5 minutes of physical activity has real health benefits.

While a little walking is good, more is even better. The faster, farther, and more often you walk, the greater the benefits. A recent study found that higher step counts were linked to lower death rates from heart disease and cancer. To get the most out of walking, make sure you¡¯re ready before hitting the road. Follow these tips from Mayo Clinic:

• Set a goal for how long you want to walk.
• Be sure you¡¯re wearing comfortable, supportive footwear with a roomy toe box.
• Warm up by walking at a slow pace for about 5 minutes.
• End by walking slowly for about 5 minutes and stretching. This cools you down and reduces stress on your muscles.