As the blossom of spring unfurls, May ushers in more than just a change in the weather—it marks the celebration of National Walking Month!
What is National Walking Month?
National Walking Month is an annual campaign dedicated to promoting walking’s health benefits and encouraging people to incorporate more walking into their daily routines. Initiated by health and transport advocates, the campaign is a call to action for individuals and communities to explore and enjoy their surroundings on foot. It’s an opportunity to reconnect with the simple joy of walking, whether it’s swapping the school run for a brisk walk, taking meetings outdoors, or enjoying a leisurely stroll in the local park.
The Dual Path: Physical and Mental Benefits
Physical Health: Walking is a powerhouse of physical benefits. It strengthens the heart, reduces the risk of chronic diseases such as type 2 diabetes, stroke, and certain cancers, and is a great way to keep the scales in check. Importantly, it’s accessible to nearly everyone, requires no special equipment, and can be tailored to fit any fitness level.
Mental Wellbeing: The mental health benefits of walking are equally compelling. It acts as a natural mood lifter, helping to alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety. Walking in nature, in particular, can reduce stress levels and improve mood. It’s a moment to pause, breathe, and be present, providing a much-needed break from the hustle of daily life.
Steps Towards a Healthier Workplace
Organisations play a crucial role in fostering a culture that values and promotes health and wellbeing. Here are some ways to encourage more walking among employees:
- Walking Meetings: Transform sedentary meetings into walking ones. Not only does it encourage physical activity, but the change of scenery can also spark creativity and innovation.
- Promote Active Commutes: Encourage employees to walk all or part of their commute. Offer incentives like rewards or competitions for those who log the most walking miles.
- Lunchtime Walks: Establish a walking group for lunchtime strolls. It’s a great way for employees to socialise outside of the work environment while enjoying the benefits of walking.
- Step Challenges: Host a month-long step challenge with a leaderboard to ignite a friendly competition among colleagues. Offer prizes for milestones reached to keep motivation high.
Further Resources and Reading
To dive deeper into National Walking Month and explore more ways to participate and promote walking in your organisation, check out the following resources:
- Living Streets: www.livingstreets.org.uk – Discover more about the campaign and access a wealth of resources to get involved.
- Walk Unlimited: www.walkunlimited.org – For those looking to organise walking events or find walking routes.
- Mind for better mental health: www.mind.org.uk – Understand more about the mental health benefits of walking and find support.
WORKPLACE WELLBEING PROFESSIONAL & PHYSICAL HEALTH
To read content relating to exercise and physical health, take a look at the stories below. Theres much more to be found under ‘exercise’ or ‘physical health’ in the Topic Index.
- Ben Mercer: Time to get up! Unleashing productivity through exercise
- How your workplace culture can help teams prioritise physical wellbeing
- The value of exercise: Feeling good physically and mentally
Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.