Health and wellbeing of employees: The Benefits of Walking
A few simple steps for National Walking Month
At Fusion, we’re always on the lookout for quick and easy ways for businesses to improve the health and wellbeing of employees.
One of the easiest ways to keep fit is simply by taking a walk. Coincidentally, May is National Walking Month.
National Walking Month
This is a campaign that does exactly what it says on the tin; promoting the benefits of walking to everyone, no matter what level of fitness they might have.
Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to be more active, lose weight and become healthier.
Often underrated, the benefits of walking as a form of exercise can help to improve your physical and mental wellbeing. Adding a walk into your daily routine can also save money and help the environment.
Walk to Work and Walk to School
National Walking Month includes two flagship events – Walk to Work Week and Walk to School Week.
Last year, over 8,000 people made simple changes to their day for Walk to Work Week.
The people who walked all or part of their commute and went for a lunchtime walk managed to clock up an impressive 78,000 miles. That’s the equivalent of walking around the world three times!
Walking for just 20 minutes a day can;
- Transform fitness level
- Improve health
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Burn up to 110 calories
Combined with a healthy eating plan, walking is an excellent way to lose a few pounds and help maintain a healthy heart.
Here are a few tips to get started.
Before you start reaping the benefits of walking…
Wear shoes or trainers that are comfortable and provide adequate support.
If you’re walking to work, you could wear your usual work clothes with a comfy pair of shoes and then change them when you get there.
How do I know if I’m walking fast enough?
A brisk walk is about three miles an hour, which is faster than a stroll.
One way to tell if you’re walking briskly enough is to sing a song! You should be able to talk, but not necessarily have enough “puff” to sing the words to a song.
What if I’m not very active?
If you’re not very active but are able to walk, gradually increase your distance.
If your joints are a problem, check whether your local swimming pool holds exercise classes. The water helps to support your joints while you move.
Once you lose a bit of weight, the pressure on your joints will reduce.
Staying motivated
By far, the best way to walk more is to make it a habit. Think of ways to include walking in your daily routine.
You could always join a walking group. It’s a great way to walk more, make new friends and stay motivated.
Listening to music can help too. It takes your mind off the effort and also gets you into a rhythm, which will help you walk faster. You’ll be surprised how fast the time goes by.
Start reaping the benefits of walking today-a few simple steps in the right direction can make all the difference. If you’d like to find out how our occupational health services can help your employees improve their general health, get in touch today.
