Health Benefits of Walking

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Walking is an easy way to get active, lose weight and become healthier. It is ideal for all ages and fitness levels, and has been shown to reduce the risk of serious illnesses such as heart disease, strokes, type two diabetes, asthma and some cancers. Below are just some of the health benefits of walking…

Make Walking Part of Your Daily Routine

Walk the kids to school, walk to the shops, walk to work or take a stroll in the evening after dinner. Most people walk between 3,000 and 4,000 steps a day, but 10,000 steps is the recommended distance for a healthy lifestyle. Boost your health and fitness with fun walks, walk the dog or organise group walks.

Group walking is fun because you can get out and meet new people and make new friends. Ramblers have group walks which are organised for health and leisure, or you and the family could get out and about visiting some of the 15 National Parks that have guided walks.

Walking can help you lose weight, de-stress and lower your blood pressure. Walking outdoors in natural sunlight will stave of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), and you will also reduce your waistline by improving your body’s response to insulin, which helps reduced belly fat.

For those of you who live in the city with busy careers and jobs, try a walking holiday. There are a large number of centres around the country which provide facilities for you and your family to enjoy a relaxing break in the countryside with scenic walks.

Hedgefield House in the North East is an ideal destination, with over four acres of beautiful gardens. Close to Hadrian’s Wall and Newcastle, it is the perfect location to get out those walking shoes.

Once you have gotten into walking on a regular basis and it becomes routine, you will feel the health benefits of walking to your health and mindset.