Here are three facts from Eduhealth to explain why we should walk more and some useful tips on walking too!
Three facts about walking
- Walking can reduce health risks
Walking can reduce your risk of developing certain health conditions, including:
- cardiovascular diseases such as high blood pressure and stroke
- type 2 diabetes
- some cancers
(Source https://www.bupa.co.uk/newsroom/ourviews/walking-health)
- 10,000 steps is not the magic number
The figure of 10,000 steps a day is often quoted as ideal. It came about from a marketing campaign for pedometers for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. This scientific research shows even as few as 4,400 steps can have a positive impact on health
(source https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/article-abstract/2734709)
- Improving the quality of your sleep
Dr Michael Mosley talks about many of the benefits of walking in his BBC podcast ‘Just One Thing’ including how walking triggers the release of serotonin that can reset your brain chemistry and is a natural mood booster, walking briskly increases the impact by more than 50% and going out walking within the first 2 hours of waking can improve the quality of your sleep. (Source https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m000v3fz )
Three useful tips on walking:
- Instead of sitting and taking a phone call, walk around your room or even better walk outdoors
- If you can’t find time for a brisk 30 minute walk in a day – brisk walk for 10 minutes, 3 times in your day. This may be beneficial as you get boosts to your metabolism each time you walk.
- If you’re struggling for motivation, spin the wheel at https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/get-involved/campaign-with-us/national-walking-month as part of #WalkThisMay
We couldn’t leave out a tip to help you if you find walking painful
Do you find that your back hurts or your feet are so tender/achey when you try and walk longer distances? Check out health cash plans at Eduhealth. These plans help towards the costs of therapy treatments, including osteopathy, physiotherapy and chiropody along with dental check ups, glasses or contact lenses and more: https://www.eduhealth.co.uk/health-cash-plans/
Once you’ve got in the habit of walking daily, maybe make yourself a longer term target to introduce running into your weekly routine; it has just been announced that the hugely popular Park Runs will hopefully be starting up again in June. If you are not already a fan and looking forward to this event, why not make it your aim to have a go and see what you have been missing.
There are some great resources for schools here: https://www.livingstreets.org.uk/walk-to-school
Health Cash Plans are great for optical/dental/therapy treatments expenses. If you were looking for Private Medical Insurance (covering medical expenses), you can get Bupa Healthcare at special rates through Eduhealth and, as an NAHT member, if you take out a policy before 30 June 2021 you will receive a £50 Amazon voucher. Find out more and request a call back here.
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