Benefits of walking

Walking is ordinary everyday activity that most people take for granted. But it’s also an excellent and free natural exercise that can help you stay healthy and live longer, control your weight, keep happy, enjoy time with friends and family, learn more about your local area and even look after the environment.

Walking really is good exercise. Walking briskly for at least 150 minutes a week, ideally on a daily basis (for example 30 minutes a day on five days a week) is one way of meeting the Chief Medical Officers’ recommendations for adult physical activity. You can even split your daily walking into 10- or 15- minute sessions. Walking also contributes to the recommended minimum of an hour a day of physical activity for children.

Doctors agree that regular physical activity like walking helps protect the body from many illnesses and conditions, including heart disease and stroke, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, obesity, the most common type of diabetes and many cancers.

Find out more about how walking can keep your body healthy.

Find out more about walking to control your weight

It’s also a great way to relieve stress and stay happy. Everyone knows how a good walk can help you collect your thoughts, and being outdoors, especially in green spaces, can help fight depression and improve mental health.

Find out more about how walking improves your mental health.

And the best news is – almost everyone can do it, anywhere and at any time, for free! You don’t need special clothing, equipment or training, there are no gym memberships to pay, and it’s so easy and natural there’s very little risk you’ll injure yourself.

Walking is especially convenient because it helps you do two things at once. While enjoying healthy physical activity, you could also be:

Getting to places you need to visit, for example by walking to work, school or the shops.
Spending time with others – friends, children and family. Walking and talking go hand in hand and you might even make new friends along the way.
Exploring your local area – it’s the best way to discover hidden corners up close.
Enjoying green spaces and nature – fresh air, peace and a place for the kids to run around. …or just taking time to relax by yourself!

Find out more about why walking is the best form of physical activity for most people.

And since walking doesn’t cause congestion or pollution, whenever you choose to walk, rather than take the car, you’re being kind to our environment as well as to yourself.

Find out how walking can save you money.

Filed under: Benefits of Walking
Tagged: benefits, fitness, health, local area, mental health, Ramblers, walk, Walking, weight loss, wellbeing
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