We all know we should be more active, but we always have an excuse! That’s why National Walking Month was created: to get people into the habit of walking. Whether you go for a short 20-minute walk or a long-distance hike, walking in any capacity can still bring about several health benefits.
Find out how you can get involved during National Walking Month and learn about the different walking benefits you could experience.
National Walking Month is held in May each year to encourage people to take a few minutes each day to walk. By educating people on the benefits of walking and inspiring them to go for even a short walk each day, the health and well-being of a person can be greatly improved.
But National Walking Month isn’t just about getting people more active. It has also been used to fundraise for charities or campaigns. For example, Living Streets has had several campaigns, including Walk to School Week, which encouraged children to walk to school with their parents and educated them on the benefits of walking.
Many people also create their own charity fundraisers by getting sponsors to support them on their walking journey. National Walking Month has not only changed the lives of people taking part in the challenge but also raised money and awareness for charities and campaigns that need it most.
Walking is known to have a positive impact on a person’s health and well-being. From reducing stress to losing weight, there are plenty of benefits to walking as an exercise. For example:
Whether you’re walking for your own health or for a charity, here are a few ways you can get involved this National Walking Month to reap the benefits of walking!
National Walking Month aims to get you walking, so why not put on your shoes and go for a walk? Whether it’s for 10 minutes or 40 minutes, simply getting into a routine of walking can make all the difference.
To measure your progress, you could try increasing the distance or length of your walks each day. This creates a bit of a challenge that will make you want to get into the habit of walking.
Even with all the walking benefits laid out in front of you, it can be hard to make that first step. A walking group could be a great way to get into a routine. With a whole new community of people walking alongside you, you will not only be improving your health, but you can also make some new friends along the way.
This might not be for everyone, but if you like a challenge, why not try to set some goals for yourself? This can be used as encouragement to get into the habit of walking, making sure you make a little bit of progress each day.
Walking around the block can sometimes seem a bit boring, especially when you have seen the same scenery each time. So why not take yourself to a new environment? Exploring a new area can make walking seem less like a chore and more fun!
Walking for a cause can be a good way of holding yourself accountable. Whether you set up your own fundraising event or you join an organised charity walk, you can take control of your health and well-being whilst also raising money for a good cause. What could be better?
If you need some tips on getting started this National Walking Month, take a look at Living Streets #try20, which offers 20 tips on getting into the habit of walking.
Ensuring you are taking control of your health is a priority for us at Home Health. That’s why we want you to get moving this National Walking Month. By getting into the habit of walking, you can reduce stress, improve heart circulation, meet new people, and more, so why not give it a try this May?
For more health information, explore our health guides to stay on top of your health and well-being with Home Health.
Walking is a great exercise as it has many benefits. Some walking benefits include:
Walking can be a form of cardio, but only if you walk fast enough. Your walking pace must increase your heart rate for it to be classed as cardio. Essentially, if you are walking quickly enough that you can still talk but not sing, you are probably walking fast enough for it to be a cardio workout.
You should aim to walk about 5 miles a day, which is the equivalent of 10,000 steps. But don’t worry if you are not close to this figure to begin with. You can easily work your way up to 10,000 steps a day by setting yourself some goals to reach during National Walking Month.
Walking can help you lose weight as long as you walk at a brisk pace, which is about 3 miles per hour. A brisk walk is a form of cardio. Walking at this pace could mean you are burning calories, which over time will result in weight loss.
Walking can help you build muscle, but it won’t help you build bulky muscles. Walking is a great way of toning your muscles and gaining functional muscle strength. You could strengthen your muscles by increasing the speed or distance of your walks.
Going for a walk can lower blood pressure as it improves circulation. By going for a walk every day during National Walking Month and beyond, you can experience lower blood pressure and various other health benefits, such as better sleep, reduced stress, and maintaining a healthy weight.