May is national walking month

May is national walking month, with lighter days and warmer weather it’s a great time to get active.

Walking is a fantastic form of exercise, requiring minimal equipment with near limitless route options, it is one of the easiest ways to stay fit and explore your community.

The benefits of walking:

• Low impact form of exercise – gentle on the joints and adaptable to your needs.
• Improves heart health and muscle strength – being physically inactive can lead to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes.
• Combat stress and stimulate your mental health – exercise releases a hormone called dopamine which makes you feel happy.
• Socialising – sign up for a Parkrun or do it with friends to connect with your community.

But I am too busy to walk?

• Get off the tube/bus/train one stop early and walk the rest of the way.
• Lose the car all together and swap a short drive for a long walk for a more eco friendly and healthier way to travel.
• Take the stairs, even for just one floor will make a difference.
• Walking meetings – encourage your team at work to join the movement and get moving out of the office.
• Make the most of the incoming English summer and spend a morning at a local nature reserve (we would recommend bringing a rain jacket just in case).
• Get a friend to join and hold yourselves accountable – having someone else means you can motivate each other.

NHS Active 10 App:

A great way to track your walking throughout the day, put your phone in your pocket and off you go. The NHS active app can track your steps, help set goals and is full of useful tips for boosting your activity.

It is free to download from the Apple App Store or on Google Play, and collects the data anonymously.

https://www.nhs.uk/better-health/get-active/

As with any exercise, it is important to know your limitations and adapt your workout for you. Take your time to begin and slowly increase your distance, time and pace to help prevent unnecessary injuries.

If you have any specific questions about walking and exercise in general, or you would like to discuss a bespoke exercise programme made for your lifestyle, please do get in contact with our private physiotherapy team.