Walks, why they are magical!

Julia Bradbury is once again championing Living Streets’ National Walking Month.

This May, she’ll join people across the UK in discovering the magic of walking to boost their health and well-being.

Walking, what’s the magic?

It’s an activity that is one of the easiest ways to improve our health and stay connected to our community, helping us feel less lonely and isolated. Living Streets is encouraging people from all walks of life to #Try20 by moving for 20 minutes every day throughout National Walking Month.

Julia is a huge advocate of getting outdoors and credits walking and the power of nature with helping her overcome breast cancer and infertility.

As Julia says:

“It is one of the most accessible activities for most of us – and it’s also the fastest and easiest way to embed yourself in nature. You don’t need expertise or equipment; you just need to put one foot in front of another. You don’t need an epic landscape either, you can walk down the street or in your local green space – that’s the magic!.”

Just for 20 minutes a day can help improve mental wellbeing as well as boosting our fitness and physical health. It’s a gentle form of cardio that costs nothing and it encourages people to spend time outdoors socialising.

Regular exercise can also prevent the risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and certain cancers, and also reduce the symptoms of stress, anxiety and depression.

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 and feel more connected to their communities.

Dame Jane Roberts, a doctor, child psychiatrist and Chair of Living Streets, said:

“With the arrival of blue skies and warmer days, it is a great time to head outdoors.”

“It’s is free, flexible, fun, and has huge benefits for our health and wellbeing. Even a short, brisk walk can have wonderful mental and physical health benefits that we shouldn’t take for granted – and just 20 minutes a day can have a really positive impact.”

“As well as the physical benefits, it can really help us switch off from the pressures of modern life. It’s a great way to spend time with friends and family – and to meet new people – so it can reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to adopt a healthy habit this May and walk for 20 minutes a day.”

This year, the theme is ‘The Magic of Walking’ and celebrating the many health and happiness benefits associated with getting outside. Going for a stroll helps us feel fitter and healthier, lets us spend quality time with family and friends, and can give us some much-needed headspace.

National Walking Month is also home to Walk to School Week – a national incentive to encourage children to walk to school and instil a love of movement at a young age. 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 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 programme has been built to help pupils experience first-hand the importance of walking to school. Leaving the car at home reduces air pollution and congestion from our communities and is a completely free way of getting your little ones to school.

To find out more  visit here, or to order classroom packs for Walk to School Week, visit here.

And if you’re looking for some inspiration this National Walking Month, check out The Outdoor Guide’s favourite routes here.