Put your best foot forward. May is National Walking Month, and there is no better time to get your boots on. Okay, so a tramp across the Moors isn’t your thing. No problem, take a walk at lunchtime in your local park or to work or the shops.
According to a 2016 poll by Cancer Research UK, half of adults walk no more than 2,000 steps a day—that’s less than a mile. Perhaps this is due to the state of pavements, pollution on the streets, and inclement weather, but most likely, it is because they are time-poor.
Here are six reasons you should start walking:
- It improves your mood, because as we know, exercise gets endorphins working.
- A great way to improve your fitness, which in turn could help you to lose weight.
- It is obviously great for your overall health, and a daily thirty-minute walk has been shown to reduce blood pressure and the risk of stroke.
- Gets your creative juices flowing, providing you time to think and reflect.
- Walking reduces the risk of various veins, can help reduce swelling and restlessness, and gives you a great-looking pair of legs.
- It’s excellent for your digestive system and keeps you regular.
Depending on the type of walking you will be doing, you might consider warming up first. Simple ankle circles, leg swings, pelvic loops, and arm circles can achieve this in less than three minutes.
Walking is a chance to get out in the fresh air and enjoy your local parks and green spaces with a friend. Or an opportunity for ‘me time’ by ditching the friend and plugging in your favourite music or podcaster. It’s the cheapest exercise you can do and has many benefits of going to the gym.
Start walking this May to celebrate National Walking Month.
If you’re worried about an old injury or find walking difficult or uncomfortable come and see us at Sarum Physio. Tell us what you want to achieve from walking, where the aches and pains are and we shall work out a treatment plan just for you. Call 01722 415 055 to book.
