Association between Walking Days and Stress Perception and Depressive Symptoms among Service Workers

Objectives: This study examined the relationship between walking frequency and two mental health indicators—stress perception and depressed mood—among service workers in South Korea, assessing whether regular walking acts as a protective factor against psychological distress.Methods: A secondary analysis was conducted using the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The sample included 3,342 service workers aged 20 years or older. Descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and binary logistic regression with complex sampling weights were performed. Walking frequency was categorized as none, 1-3 days/week, 4-6 days/week, and daily walking. Stress perception and depressed mood were measured using standardized KNHANES mental health items.Results: Higher walking frequency was significantly associated with lower stress and depressed mood. Walking days showed negative correlations with both outcomes. Logistic regression indicated that walking 1-2 days/week lowered stress, while walking five or more days per week markedly reduced the odds of high stress and depressed mood compared with non-walkers. Demographic factors—including gender, age, income, education, and employment type—were also related to walking frequency.Conclusions: Regular walking effectively reduces psychological distress among service workers. Increased walking frequency was associated with lower stress and depressed mood, supporting walking as a simple, accessible strategy for mental health promotion and workplace well-being.