Walking is one of the easiest ways to get more active and it’s completely free! It doesn’t require special equipment and is completely accessible for everyone, no matter your age or ability. On top of these great reasons to start walking, it’s also fantastic to know that walking has many health benefits including:
Improving your cardiovascular fitness
Increasing energy levels
Maintaining a healthy weight
Improving your balance, coordination, mood, memory and sleep
Reducing stress and tension
Preventing or manage a number of health conditions including heart disease, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes
Also the faster, further and more frequently you walk, the greater the benefits you’ll see! However it’s not recommended to go from never walking to attempting a hike through the countryside. It’s best to start small, with short walks around your local area or park and increase your walk duration and speed as and when you feel comfortable enough to do so.
A walk is a great activity to do both alone and with others too! So if you don’t like walking alone or feel unmotivated one day, ask a friend or family member to join you. If you’re motivated in group settings, there are plenty of walking groups to join too!
Using most smartphones or specialised trackers, you can easily keep track of how many steps you take, the distance you walk and even how long it takes you to complete your chosen route. By keeping track of your walk you can see your progress over the days, weeks, months and inspire yourself to keep going. Just think of how great you’ll feel when you see how many miles/steps you’ve walked!
Our NHS recommends a brisk 10 minute walk each day and if you can walk each day your health will thank you for it, however if you miss a day don’t worry. If you’re ever feeling unmotivated to go outside for a walk, especially when it’s raining, remind yourself how good you feel when you walk and make the effort to go. You won’t regret it!
Let’s get our shoes on and get walking!
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