National Walking Day In 2022,  is celebrated on April 6th

National Walking Month

In May each year schools all around the world take part in National Walk to School Month to help promote walking as a form of exercise that is good for your health.

The month-long event is organised by the British Heart Foundation, which aims to encourage fun events and activities in school to raise awareness and donations for the charity.

How to Take Part in National Walking Month

Walk to School or Work - National Walking Month is a great way to leave your car at home, get outside and get fit by walking to and from school. If school or work is too far, try walking part of the way instead.  

Take the Stairs - Instead of taking the lift or elevator, take the stairs.  

Go Exploring - Explore your local area, or enjoy a day out in the countryside, beach or park. Hiking is a great way to explore while getting plenty of exercises.  

Take a Lunchtime Stroll - Take a little stroll around the school playground after lunch. This can help you be more productive for the rest of the day.  

Walk Your Pet - If you don’t have a pet, walk with someone who has one or ask if you can walk their pet for them. 

t’s time to get walking for National Walking Month!

You may not realise it, but May is National Walking Month and now the evenings are lighter for longer, this makes it the perfect time to get outside, and get walking. Walking has a whole host of different health benefits that you can use to motivate you to introduce walking into your daily lives.

WALKING IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEART

Your heart is responsible for pumping the oxygen and blood around your body and keeping all the other organs working. So we think you’ll agree that it’s important to keep it in tip top condition! Walking not only strengthens your heart but reduces the risk of heart disease and strokes. In fact a brisk walk for 30 minutes every day is said to reduce your risk of a stroke by 27%. If this wasn’t enough, it also reduces bad levels of cholesterol and increases the levels of good cholesterol too!

WALKING HELPS YOU TO LOSE WEIGHT

If you are new to exercise, or maybe trying to lose weight gradually in order to keep it off, then walking is a great form of exercise for you. If you walk at around 2mph for 30 minutes then you will burn around 75 calories, and if you increase this to 4mph this will rise to around 150 calories. 20 minutes of walking a day will burn an incredible 7lbs of body fat a year.

YOU CAN 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 your brain from shrinking.

WALKING GIVES YOU ENERGY

There are times when you feel more lethargic than others, and if you find yourself in this zone then a walk could do you good. It boosts your circulation and increases the oxygen supply is around your body, which in turn will keep you feeling alert and awake.

IT’S A FULL BODY WORKOUT

Many muscles in your body are activated during walking including; calves, glutes, hamstrings, quads and abdominals, so give it a try and give your legs, bums and tum a workout.

INCREASE YOUR VITAMIN D INTAKE

Here in the UK there are lots of people who are deficient in Vitamin D, the best way to increase your levels of Vitamin D is to get outside in the sunshine. Vitamin D is good for your bone health, as well as your immune system, which is why it is important to try and increase the levels in your body.

WALKING MAKES YOU HAPPY

In the same way walking can help you feel energised, it is also great for making you feel happy. A brisk walk can be just as beneficial as taking an antidepressant, and can be a great helping hand if you are suffering from depression, anxiety or feeling stressed.

These are just some of the reasons why you should try to work in more walking to your daily routine. Whether you walk at lunchtime, or start your day with a walk, why not try it and feel the benefits for yourself.