Let’s Walk!

“Walking is a man’s best medicine”, said Hippocrates over 2,000 years ago.

Growing scientific evidence is proving this to be true. A study carried out at the University of Cambridge found that after researching 334,000 people, just 20 minutes of walking a day cuts the risk of premature death by almost a third.

Public Health England (PHE) found that 4 in 10 middle-aged adults (6 million Britons) are failing to manage even one brisk 10-minute walk a month! That’s 6 million Britons who are increasing their risk of potentially fatal illnesses. We need to work together to change this statistic.

Walking is a great way to increase your exercise and activity, it is easy to do and a good time to catch up with friends, or even plug your earphones in and take a phone call. It reduces stress in a number of ways, including, giving you time to think and breathe, boosting endorphins and increasing your energy in a non-stressful environment.

Author of ‘The Doctor on Demand Diet’ Melina B. Jampolis, MD, says that going for a regular walk is one of the best and easiest things that you can do for your health, reducing the risk of many chronic diseases.

Take a look at the benefits of walking:

• Maintain a healthy weight
• Strengthen bones, muscles and joints
• Improves mood
• Improves balance and coordination
• Boosts feel good endorphins
• Reduces stress
• Improves sleep
• Increases energy levels
• Tones muscles
• Reduces the risk of a stroke
• Slowing mental decline
• Increases self esteem
• Allows time to think
• Increases social activity
• Reduces the risk of high blood pressure
• Reduced chance of injury
• Easy to do – you just need a pair of trainers
• Chance to get outside and have some fresh air and explore new places
• Increases your life span

According to research by Fitbit, a 10,000 step goal per day is a great place to start, keeping you physically active, and giving you a goal to aim towards.