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Close to half of all adults in the UK are not active enough to benefit their health optimally, putting them at risk of developing serious illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, and cancer. Our population is becoming less active with each passing year, with physical inactivity being associated with one in six deaths in the UK.
In fact, around one in three men and one in two women are not active enough. Moreover, physical activity tends to decrease with age, particularly in older years, and people with disabilities or long-term conditions are twice as likely to be inactive.
Walking for Health
Walking is the perfect exercise because it’s simple, natural, and accessible to everyone. It doesn’t require any special equipment or specific levels of fitness, and it can be done almost anywhere. Walking has many health benefits but the physical and mental health benefits of 'social group' walking cannot be overstated.
With short walks over easy terrain lasting about 1 hour, these walks are perfect for those who are least active and want to improve their health and wellbeing. The walks are at a steady pace to suit everyone, regardless of their fitness level.
In summary, these health benefits could include:
Improved Cardiovascular Health
Increased Muscle Strength and Flexibility
Mental Health Benefits:
Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Walking can help reduce stress and anxiety levels by allowing you to clear your mind and focus on your surroundings. The act of moving and breathing deeply can help calm the mind and reduce symptoms of anxiety.
Improved Mood: Regular walking has been shown to release endorphins, which are the body’s feel-good chemicals. This can help boost your mood and how you feel.
Enhanced Cognitive Function
Social Connection
Increased Self-Confidence: Walking and being physically active can boost self-esteem and confidence, as you feel better about yourself and your body.
Improves sleep: A regular walking routine has been linked to improved sleep patterns.
Boosted Immune System
Weight Management
It’s almost impossible not to feel good when we’re walking outdoors – it’s a natural mood-booster! The great news is we don’t need to walk far or fast to feel its effects on our health and wellbeing. Simply getting out is a boost to our minds and bodies, and it can be sociable too. Walking doesn’t have to be a high intensity workout to be effective. Even a 10-15 minute walk in nature, with friends or a pet can have a big impact on your mental health. Put on those walking shoes and give it a try - your mind and body will thank you.
The physical aspects of walking are fairly obvious but the improvement to the mental health aspects cannot be emphasied enough through the 'social group' interaction. Meeting new friends and finding out new things in an area you thought you knew quite well are all possible.
All of the walks try to find the nice green areas available in that walk that help to relax and recharge your batteries, as they say. Even the Sunday walk from the Yarborough Hotel in central Grimsby finds the green spots which is where some of the photos were taken.
Walking is actually classified as a weight bearing exercise so with a diet high in vitamin D and calcium, this can help to improve bone strength which will help to reduce the possibility of sustaining bone fractures during a fall. Walking outside in itself will help to increase vitamin D levels through sunlight.
Interestingly, there is now good evidence that regular exercise such as walking, running and swimming can ease constipation although that may be due to the increase in the intake of more drinking water.
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