Get moving with National Walking Month

Whether you go it alone, with family, or join an organised group in your community, walking is one of the easiest ways to get more active and

• reduce stress levels and blood pressure
• help manage weight
• improve mood, sleep and mental health
• meet new people and discover new places along the way

Not sure where to start?

We've pulled together information and tools to help you get moving below.

KCC Deputy Director of Public Health, Dr Ellen Schwartz, said: “From trimming your waistline to ageing well by improving your balance and supercharging your memory, walking is a fantastically simple but effective way to improve your health and wellbeing. It can also help you make new friends.

“Ideally aim for 10,000 steps each day. It may sound like a lot but using practical guides like Living Streets’ Try20 checklist can set you on the path to becoming a healthier, happier you.”

Andrea Murphy, Active Kent & Medway Strategic Lead, said: “Moving more in our everyday lives can prevent a wide range of diseases. It can also help manage long term health conditions and it’s really important for our mental health.”

There’s all sorts of ways to walk and include walking into our lives.

Active Kent & Medway caught up with Christine and Tracy who joined walking netball sessions offered by Age UK Kent Rivers in Faversham and Sittingbourne.

Christine said: “I suffer from a back problem which I hope to get sorted but it’s nice to come here because you don’t have any impact on your back as such. The people here are lovely, the ladies are lovely, they’re very supportive.”

Tracy said: “My father died and I retired from my job and the mental wellbeing has been great for me and the physical exercise is great. You get that camaraderie and I’ve made some great friends.”

Find out more about National Walking Month, organised by everyday walking charity Living Streets. Follow their campaign #MagicOfWalking on social media.