Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, is urging the public to ‘Try20’ during National Walking Month this May. The campaign encourages people to walk for 20 minutes every day throughout May and observe the big differences small steps can make.
Last year, Living Streets’ Try20 campaign saw thousands of people across the UK pledge to walk for 20 minutes a day. A follow up survey in December found that 75 per cent of pledgers were still walking for 20 minutes a day and reporting stories of weight loss, money saving, improved social life and increased fitness.
Living Streets recommends walking as a free, easy and fun way to improve your health. From a lower risk of contracting heart disease, certain cancers, depression and type 2 diabetes, to aiding weight loss and reducing feelings of stress and isolation.
This year, Living Streets will also be commissioning an extensive survey to try and find the best cities in the UK for walking judged on a range of criteria, including safety, air pollution and street clutter. A leader board will be announced in time for the launch of National Walking Month 2017.
Anyone across the UK will be able to ‘Rate their city walk’ throughout National Walking Month in an online quiz. The charity will then offer recommendations on action participants could take to make their city more walking-friendly.
Key messages:
- Try20 this May: add a 20 minute walk into your day. This small change makes a big difference to your health and wellbeing;
- 20 minutes of walking a day is a good step towards achieving 150 minutes of physical activity a week as recommended by the Chief Medical Officer;
- You don’t have to go out of your way to exercise: walk your daily journey to work, to the shops, or the school run – or skip a stop on public transport;
- Getting people out of their cars and onto their feet is part of the solution to the UK’s congestion and air pollution problems;
- ‘Rate your walk’ and help us improve spaces and create a walking nation where everyone can enjoy the benefits this simple act brings on streets that are fit for walking.
For more information, visit www.livingstreets.org.uk/nwm and follow us on Twitter: @livingstreets #Try20