PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Wednesday is National Take the Stairs Day, and that means it’s all about your health.
More specifically, it’s a chance to get moving for your health as well as draw awareness to lung-related issues, especially in children.
What you’re supposed to do is obvious, however the benefits might not be as obvious.
The second Wednesday of every January is a chance to shun the elevator and use the stairs.
“It helps with your overall physical activity, gets the blood pumping, and gets you breathing,” explained Dr. Jane Taylor a pulmonologist at UPMC Children’s Hospital.
The American Lung Association embraces the day because it is good for your overall health.
“The more you get out and move around, that helps with your overall metabolism and build up muscle mass, which then burns more calories, and over time, that helps with weight loss,” Dr. Taylor said.
Dr. Taylor, however, cautions to not go overboard.
“There are ways to start slowly and build up on your physical activity,” she explained. “So, over time, you get into a good routine, which will then help with weight loss and improve cardiac and pulmonary health.”