Walk Your Way To A Healthier You

May is National Walking Month and is a time to celebrate the benefits of walking and encourage people to make it a regular part of their daily routine. Walking is one of the most straightforward and accessible forms of physical activity, offering numerous health benefits for the body and mind. Taking a 20-30 minute walk every day can reduce a number of diseases and improve your mental health.

Walking is a low-impact exercise that can improve cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance. Regular walking has lowered the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. In addition to the physical benefits, walking can help reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and boost mental wellbeing! It can help you stay connected to your community and help you feel less alone and isolated.

One of the best things about walking is that it’s free and requires no special equipment or training. Keep it interesting!

• Pick different routes so you don’t get bored of the same sights

• Walk at different times of the day

• Put on a podcast or playlist to listen to whilst you walk

• Explore what’s going on around you - sights, sounds, people....

• Join a local walking group

• Walk the dog

• Meet friends for a social walk instead of going for a coffee

Building walking into your daily life is the most effective way to maintain activity levels and take those steps towards better health!