Get Your Walking Shoes On…
Because Friday 6th April is Walk to Work Day!
While many people walk to work most days, we know that others tend to rely on the bus, the train, or other means of transport to get them to work on time in the mornings. But with longer days now upon us, why not take part in the annual event to kick-start your feel-good vibes for the summer?
Walking is one of the simplest forms of exercise, it’s of course free, and it gives us a much-welcome opportunity to take in what’s around us and get some lovely fresh air into our lungs. But due to the pace of our daily working lives, many of us skip the opportunity to walk because it’s more convenient and quicker to use transport (plus, it becomes habit if you rely on it often).
Let’s not overlook the sheer amount of good that walking does for our minds and bodies though, and let’s use the national day to get started on a fantastic path to health and wellbeing!
Walking…
- Strengthens the heart (inactivity increases the risk of heart disease and costs the NHS around £1.2bn each year¹)
- Helps prevent the onset of dementia
- Boosts vitamin D levels
- Helps you lose or maintain a healthy weight
- Tones up those legs, bums and tums
- Improves your mood
- Increases your energy
If that wasn’t enough, there are also many more reasons why walking to work can result in a healthier and happier you, and a more productive you…
- Improves your concentration levels
- Enhances overall health, resulting in fewer sickness absences (physically active employees take 27% less sick days than non-active employees²)
- Provides a social setting, helping you meet new people and make new friends
- Improves your teamwork and co-operation
According to NHS Choices, walking is one of the easiest ways to become more active, increase fitness levels and create an all-round healthier lifestyle. Not only that, it’s also an excellent opportunity to socialise with colleagues and to see more of the world around you. Win: win!
For those of you who aren’t able to walk the full distance to work, why not jump off the bus a stop earlier or park your car a little further from the office, and travel the rest of your journey on foot?
With endless positive results, it’s easy to see how a little light exercise can ensure that individuals, businesses, and the environment can enjoy amazing benefits.
We’d love to hear your ‘walking to work’ experiences, so do share your updates with us via Twitter at @MyPaycare or @Paycare…
¹British Heart Foundation
² British Heart Foundation