52 Ways to Walk: The Surprising Science of Walking for Wellness and Joy, One Week at a Time

“Walking is not—and has never been—boring,” writes novelist Streets (The Joyce Girl) in this inviting exercise guide to a year’s worth of walking. The plan’s divided into a weekly program, with each week dedicated to a certain type of walking. Week one consists of a stroll in winter, as the advantages of walking in the cold are significant and include increased cognition and reduced stress, according to Streets, and she describes the “extraordinary changes that take place in our bodies and brains when we spend time in moderate cold.” Later chapters advocate for slow walks (shown to lower cholesterol and help regulate insulin levels), ambles through muddy terrain (soil has “mood-enhancing effects”), early morning treks (exposure to sunlight helps start the day off right), and post-meal strolls (which help with digestion). Streets carefully breaks down the psychological and physical benefits of each type of walk, and makes a solid case that getting some movement in outside can help one “appreciate the exquisitely complicated and beautiful world we inhabit.” Readers ready to hit the pavement will find plenty of inspiration and information here. (Feb.)