National Walking Day

5 reasons why you should go for a walk today

1. Improve your fitness

If you are trying to get fit, start by walking. Walking is one of the easiest (and free!) ways to get active and improve fitness. Not only can it help you lose some weight, regular walking at a brisk pace will improve your blood pressure and make your bones stronger.

According to the NHS, regular walking has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic illnesses – including asthma, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stokes and some cancers.

2. Reduce stress

If you are feeling stressed for overwhelmed, a walk could help  reduce stress and anxiety levels as well as improve your mood. Many studies have found a connection between increased walking and improved mental health.

3. Environmentally friendly

Walking instead of driving is far more environmentally friendly – so if you have a short journey in the car planned, try to walk instead.

5. Improves sleep

If you find winding down and going to sleep difficult, then try going for a walk. There have been studies that suggest a  regular walk can help boost hormones – such as melatonin – that help us sleep.

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