This May, National Walking Month returns – brought to you by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking. It’s all about encouraging more people to move more often, and as with previous years, why not try out their #Try20 tips?
Why walk?
Walking is one of the easiest ways to boost your health – no gym, no fancy gear, just you and a pair of comfy shoes. It’s low-impact, free, and fits easily into your daily routine. But beyond being simple and accessible, walking has some great health benefits:
- Boosts heart health: Regular walks can reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke, improve circulation, and help manage cholesterol.
- Strengthens bones and muscles: As a weight-bearing exercise, walking helps maintain strength in your legs, hips, and lower back.
- Lifts your mood: Walking triggers the release of endorphins—those feel-good hormones—helping to reduce stress and support mental well-being.
- Supports weight management: It burns calories and, interestingly, just a 15-minute walk can help curb cravings for sugary snacks.
- Improves immunity: A brisk walk can give your immune system a lift—perfect for keeping seasonal bugs at bay.
Give #Try20 a go
Need a little extra motivation? Living Streets’ Try20 checklist is packed with 20 fun ideas to make walking more enjoyable—like picking up litter, taking an evening stroll, or swapping a meeting room for a walking meeting. Download the list from the Living Streets website and see how many you can tick off!
Let’s get moving this May—one step at a time!
May would also be a great time to find out more and sign up to the Walking Works programme! Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, has partnered with West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) to embed the culture of walking into workplaces through their Walking Works programme and we’d love to see businesses across Thorpe Park Leeds sign up! All the information you need, can be found here.