Many of us got our walking feet on during COVID lockdowns and what better way to keep it up than participate in National Walking month – #WalKThisMay. The weather is improving (honest!), and the days are longer which means we have more time to get out and enjoy the great outdoors. Walking is so beneficial for your heart health and happiness – a brisk walk for 30 minutes every day is said to reduce your risk of a stroke by 27%!!  You only need a stout pair of shoes to get going so what are you waiting for?

In case you need extra information on how good walking is:

• Walking helps you lose weight – if you walk at around 2mph for 30 minutes then you burn around 75 calories, and if you increase this to 4mph you will burn around 150 calories. 20 minutes of walking a day will burn an incredible 7lbs of body fat a year!
• Walking can help lower your risk of dementia – an older person who walks six or more miles a week is less likely to have problems such as dementia. This is because walking has been proven to prevent brain shrinkage.
• Walking gives you energy – a walk boosts your circulation and oxygen supply around your body which will keep you more alert and awake. So, go for a walk if you feel lethargic!
• It’s a full body workout – walking activates many muscles in your body: calves, glutes, hamstrings, quads and abdominals…
• It increases your vitamin D intake – getting out in the sunshine for a walk is a great way to top up your vitamin D after a long winter!! Vitamin D is good for your bone health as well as your immune system.
• Walking makes you happy! A brisk walk can be as beneficial as taking an antidepressant, it can be a great helping hand if you are suffering from depression, anxiety or feeling stressed.
• It can be sociable too – if you don’t want to walk alone most places have rambling or walking groups which you can join and make new friends as well.

There is a plethora of information online about routes and groups but these two are great for a start:  https://www.walkingbritain.co.uk or https://www.ramblers.org.uk