Walking can offer numerous benefits for our physical and mental health and is one of the simplest forms of exercise. It can often be overlooked when we think of exercise however walking can help burns calories, increase our heart health, help lower your blood sugar, improve your mood and boost your energy.
Your walks don't have to be long, a brisk 10-minute walk can help. It is more about getting into a routine and walking on a regular basis. There are plenty of tips out there on how to create a routine with walking including – walking with a friend and making this a social event, walking the kids to school and using the stairs instead of the lift.
We encouraged our customers and staff to get involved and start walking more for a month, helping to raise money for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance at the same time. Everyone involved shared the benefits of walking for them and we gathered some great feedback showing a varied response and why walking is such a great form of exercise. Here are some of the comments we gathered.
I walk because it clears my mind, helps my mental health and keeps me fit.
At 65, I decided I needed to do something to help my health. Started with gentle walking, now 2 years later, I have lost just over 2 stone. Feeling very proud of myself.
love being outdoors, I walk the dog twice a day every day and out with the family walking on a weekend. Fresh air and exercise. I'm feeling the benefits after giving up smoking a year and a half ago.
I enjoy walking as it relaxes me, burns my energy away and feel like I have achieved something when I do long walks. I also like walking down the beach near me.
Love walking in the woods. Normally all on one level no difficult hills, just a healthy walk at a steady pace to keep fit.
I enjoy walking. You have more chance to enjoy your surroundings and what's going on around you, and it helps to keep me fit both physically and mentally.
Since getting Louie (the dog) 2 years ago we have done lots of walking. It's good exercise and it's a good way of meeting other people walking their dogs.
I'm type2 diabetic and I have 2 rescue dogs that I love walking. It keeps my sugars down as well as giving all 3 of us enjoyable time together!
I love walking, after breaking my back and having to have several operations on my spine and spend months in a back brace. I know how lucky I am to be able to walk at all so even though I use a stick I love to walk as much as I can.
Me and my family walking into town, we regularly walk out when we get together. I like to walk every day.l actually feel better for it and sleep better too! It gives my time to clear my head, l can also see things that you would never see in a car, flowers and wildlife, and you often see someone you know for a quick chat.
Love walking as it is free and really relaxing listening to the birds and looking at all the blossom on the trees.
After having a rare illness last year where I was paralysed, I am loving the fact that I can now walk which I love doing! Little steps as they say for me at the moment but it's great to get outdoors.
It's great to get out the house and spend time with the family making memories.
Get outside when you can it's the best gym there. I struggle to walk far now and sometimes have to use a stick but I still love it.
Could you increase the amount you are walking each week? Consider the benefits it would have on your health and see what you can achieve.
