May is Walking Month and all across this month we'll be sharing different ways you can enjoy walking.
Walking is simple, free and one of the easiest ways to get more active, lose weight and become healthier. Sometimes overlooked as a form of exercise, walking briskly can help you build stamina, burn excess calories and make your heart healthier.
You do not have to walk for hours. A brisk 10-minute daily walk has lots of health benefits and counts towards your recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise.
Visit the NHS website for more about walking https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/walking-for-health/
We're getting started by sharing how walking whilst working can help your workplace become more active.
Active Workplaces
Physical activity has been shown to reducenstress and anxiety, strengthen the immune system, improve productivity, increase resilience, lower absenteeism and presenteeism rates and enhance teamwork
and self-confidence. Find out more ways to support your workplace to get more active by downloading the Sport England Active Employee Toolkit.
Seven ways to Walk Whilst Working
- Walking meetings - Replace a video call with an audio-only call and talk while you walk
- Walking commute - consider a “pretend” commute and take the time to get active
- Take an active lunch break – get away from
your screen and go for a walk on your own, meet a friend or make it a 'date' with your at home co-worker
- Stand up more regularly – when your mobile rings make a call whilst you walk around indoors or outdoors depending on the weather
- Team walks - when guidance permits, arrange to meet your team in a group of six and head out for a walking catch up together
- Walk and learn - learn on the job by tuning into a podcast that can help you solve a work issue, take a walk whilst you listen
- Reconnect with your team - through a physical activity challenge
Team challenges can be a great way to boost morale and build relationships, as well as improving physical and mental health
Benefits of a working walk
- boost your energy
- get away from the screen
- connect with friends/family
- build in self-care
- destress
- look after
your mental health
- create a barrier between work and home life
