Walk this May with Living Streets

Living Streets has announced the return of National Walking Month this May. The 2023 campaign encourages Brits to #Try20 and walk for 20 minutes every day throughout the month. The charity also aims to raise awareness of the benefits of walking for those facing loneliness and social isolation.

Walking is widely regarded as one of the best forms of exercise for people of all ages. A gentle form of cardio that is completely free, it encourages people to spend time outdoors socialising, while providing a wealth of health benefits.

This includes helping to prevent the risk of conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and certain cancers, as well as positively impacting your mental wellbeing by reducing stress, anxiety and also depression.

Focusing on the huge social, mental and physical benefits that are associated with walking, Living Streets' #Try20 initiative aims to encourage people across the nation to get moving for 20 minutes a day this May, if they can, to boost their health and wellbeing.

"Walking is free, flexible, fun, and proven to have a tremendous impact on your health and wellbeing. A brisk walk, for example, can help you to build stamina and burn calories, as well as making your heart healthier. You don't have to walk for hours, just 20 minutes a day is enough to have a big impact."

Living Streets will also leverage National Walking Month to shine a bright light on the benefits of walking for those experiencing loneliness or social isolation, and helping older adults to overcome barriers to walking.

The latest research by the Office of National Statistics states that around 1 in 20 (6%) of UK adults feels lonely always or often*. But data captured by Living Streets** has found that over half (68%) of older adults feel more connected with their community after taking up regular walking, and nearly three quarters (70%) feel less lonely or isolated – proving the power of walking for those who are feeling secluded.

The charity works closely with local communities, authorities and partners all year round, to create streets which are safe and welcoming for all ages, often by addressing damaged footways and a lack of resting places or inadequate crossings. Their walking projects also promote healthier lifestyles and ensure people can stay active and connected with their communities in later life.

People find the biggest barriers to walking to be bad weather (50%) and concerns about not feeling safe walking alone (19%). Other reasons for not walking include not having time (16%), concerns about e-scooters (11%), air pollution (11%) and traffic (10%).

Over half of people say they notice an effect on their weight if they don't walk (52%) or notice an effect on their mental health (53%).

Stephen Edwards, Chief Executive at Living Streets, says:

"Walking is good for our minds, bodies and neighbourhoods. Turning off our engines and turning to walking for short journeys will help reduce congestion, road danger and air pollution – while saving yourself some money in the process. Even a short, brisk walk can have wonderful mental and physical health benefits that we shouldn't take for granted.

"As well as the physical benefits, walking reduces the feelings of loneliness and isolation – as it promotes socialisation and boosts serotonin levels linked with feeling happier and less anxious. That's why we are encouraging everyone to adopt a healthy habit this May and walk for 20 minutes a day for National Walking Month."

National Walking Month is also home to Walk to School Week - a national incentive to encourage children to walk to school and increase the amount of weekly exercise they do. Children are encouraged to exercise for at least 60 minutes a day, and walking to and from school can significantly help them reach this target.

The five-day walking challenge is a celebration of the walk to school and the perfect activity for parents to get their steps in as part of National Walking Month. This fun and engaging week-long activity has been built to make pupils experience first-hand the importance of walking to school, and not only does this help reduce air pollution and congestion from the roads, but it is a completely free way of getting your little ones to school.

(Source & Image: Living Streets)