The benefits of walking and 5 easy ways to build more steps into your day during National Walking Month

Walking is one of the easiest ways to get your daily quota of exercise.

While often overlooked, walking can help you stay active and improve your health. Better still, a regular brisk walk could even help you lose weight.

Several of the Logic team enjoy a daily walk. Jon Hinton, our Operations Director, likes to start his day by walking the dog soon after sunrise. Like many, he finds that an early morning walk leaves him feeling energised throughout the day.

Meanwhile, Financial Planner Lee takes a 30-minute walk every lunchtime, helping him power through the afternoon and defeating the typical post-lunch slump.

As May is National Walking Month, here are a few ways walking could improve your health and five super-simple ideas to help you increase your daily step count.

Health benefits you can enjoy from a 30-minute daily walk

Walk for 30 minutes every day and you could benefit from:

• Increased cardiovascular fitness
• Stronger bones
• Reduced body fat
• More muscle power
• Greater endurance.

As if that’s not enough it could also help to reduce your risk of developing certain health conditions, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis.

And you can gain all these benefits and more without huge physical exertion – set at your own pace at a time to suit you.

5 simple ways to increase your daily step count

1. Keep track of your steps

If you don’t already track how many steps you take in a day, now could be a great time to start.

You may find that you’ve been counting unawares as it’s one of the things your smart phone might be doing in the background. Check your phone’s Health app!

Alternatively, you may prefer to use a dedicated fitness tracker or a simple pedometer.

Keeping track of your daily step count can help motivate you, encouraging you to gradually increase your count.

You may be pleasantly surprised at just how many steps you rack up without even trying.

On the other hand, if you discover that a “normal” day typically consists of only 200 or so steps (as Harj recently admitted), knowing your “score” may motivate you to step outside and boost your count.

2. Build a walk into your daily routine

Like Jon and Lee, you may discover that building a daily walk into your routine is the best way to increase your step count.

Whether you’re a morning lark or a night owl, find a time that best suits your schedule. Then, take a view on how it changes your energy levels throughout the day.

Given what we’ve learned from our team, you’re bound to notice a positive difference. This may make you more motivated to turn your walk into a regular daily habit.

3. Pace when you’re on the phone

Walking and talking could be the answer you’re looking for.

If you’re catching up with friends or family, consider taking a walk around the block or head to the nearest green space. Not only will this boost your step count but you’ll also benefit from a dose of fresh air.

If the weather isn’t playing ball, simply walk around your home or do laps around your living room while you chat.

This can be a super easy way to up your step count, especially if you enjoy long conversations with far-flung friends and family.

4. Enjoy a local walk while ticking off chores and errands

There’s nothing better than doubling up and killing two birds with one stone.

So, next time you need to run an errand or your to-do list means an appointment or a spot of shopping, do it on foot.

Even if you have to drive or take a bus initially, parking at a slightly greater distance or getting off the bus a stop earlier than usual could be an easy way to add to your daily step count.

If your chores are home-based, you could still stack up the steps.

Mowing the lawn, gardening, mopping the floor, and vacuuming can all give you a great cardio workout. So, if you’d like to boost your steps without venturing out, do a spot of hoovering instead.

5. Take to the hills and discover new routes in the surrounding countryside

Spring has sprung and summer is on the way, so it’s the perfect time to stride out.

From the Warburg Nature Reserve to the Ridgeway National Trail and the Chilterns, there’s some amazing countryside right on our doorsteps.

Whether you’re a seasoned walker, or are new to the pleasures of a good stroll, check out the Visit Watlington website for some local routes to enjoy alone, or with family and friends.

Get in touch

We hope you enjoy getting out and about in the coming months.

If you have a walk you want to share, please email info@logicfinancialservices.co.uk, call 01491 612 754, or pop in and say hello next time you’re taking a stroll.