Making the most of the May Bank Holiday
With the promise of better weather and a return to some kind of normality, the upcoming May Bank Holiday weekend is looking ever more appealing! Whilst you may be using this long weekend for some well-deserved rest and relaxation, that doesn’t have to involve sitting in front of Netflix all day. Instead, it’s the perfect time to get outside and enjoy the fresh air.
One way to make the most of the additional time, and the exciting prospect of some sun, is through the simple, accessible but rewarding activity of walking! In fact, May 31st signifies the end of National Walking Month, so there really is no better time to get out and get walking. Whether that be a slow potter up to your local shops, an intense hike or just a leisurely stroll around your neighbourhood as you catch up with friends, just being out and about and getting your body moving has innumerable benefits!
Throughout the first lockdown and over the past year many of us have found a newfound appreciation for walking, with 61% of people walking more now than during pre-Covid times. As things begin to open up again it is likely that some of us will slip out of these habits and revert back to relying much more on public transport, seated catch-ups or sedentary pastimes. Whilst, of course, you can make the most of our every-increasing freedoms, we also encourage you to continue going out for that daily wander – if only to give both your brain and body a much-needed boost!
Regular walking can help keep your heart and lungs healthy, your bones and muscles strong and provides a respite from your daily stresses to enhance your psychological wellbeing too. Building walking into your routine doesn’t have to be daunting or time-consuming, in fact many of us will probably see a natural increase as we return to some form of commute and/or general freedom.
Small bouts throughout the day are just as valuable as going on the intense 30-minute brisk walk once a day that many think is the only beneficial option. Even some relatively simple, and well-known, additions such as taking the stairs instead of the lift, getting off the bus a stop earlier or just taking a neighbour’s dog out for a walk all add up – you can always make them longer or more intense as you feel comfortable.
Ultimately, it’s just about figuring out what works best for you and your lifestyle, whilst acknowledging that there is no one right way to incorporate more walking in your routine. For some, walking may be something they can’t get enough of, whereas for others, walking may just not be appealing – and that’s okay! Whatever it may mean for you, increasing the amount of movement in your daily routine really does make a huge difference to your health and wellbeing.
Understanding how the value of walking and other everyday physical activities can be elicited in an abundance of different forms can really help you to realise that adding bits in little by little to your day, in a way that suits you, is truly beneficial. So, what are you waiting for?! There’s no better time to test out what works for you than in the sunshine this May Bank Holiday weekend (hopefully!). Let’s celebrate the culmination of National Walking Month fittingly, and help give our brains and bodies the boost they deserve!
