As May is National Walking Month, we thought we’d take a look at the many health benefits that this fundamental activity provides!

The great thing about walking is that it is free and requires little or no equipment! It can take place at any time of the day or night; pretty much in most places; at any pace and either alone or in company! Walking is a great form of physical activity for people in all ‘walks‘ of life, whatever age or level of fitness! This low impact exercise is an ideal way to maintain and improve your health and fitness.

The benefits of regular walking

To walk briskly for around half an hour a day is a great way to help with many health conditions. Brisk walking is at a pace of around 3mph! It increases your heart rate, pumps blood around the body and increases oxygen levels.

Here are just some of the great health benefits:

Discover the Power of Walking for Physical and Mental Health

Not only does walking assist in our physical fitness, but it is also a wonderful way to lift our spirits and boost our mental health too. Being outside in the open air and participating in gentle (and exertive) exercise, can positively help to reduce depression, anxiety, low self esteem, stress and fatigue.

An interesting new study based on an App, called Urban Mind, found that taking a walk in nature can have a positive effect on our mental health for up to 7 hours afterwards! The study also discovered that people who are prone to developing mental health disorders benefitted more than others.

Make walking part of your daily routine

If you have not been too active recently, or are recuperating from an illness, start to walk gradually. Only increase the time and speed of your walk when you feel you are able to. If you would like to discover additional movement habits that you can incorporate into your daily routine to support your energy levels, immunity, and mobility then take a look at our Habits for Health programme. The programme is suitable for anyone regardless of age, fitness level, or previous experience and will help you find time and purpose to add more movement into your day.

References and further reading

https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/walking-for-health/
https://www.walkingforhealth.org.uk/get-walking/why-walk/healthy-minds
https://www.healthline.com/health/benefits-of-walking#Energy-boost
https://www.urbanmind.info/