Tag: National walking month

May is National Walking Month and we are very lucky to have so many varied walks around Sittingbourne and Faversham.

 Now the evenings are lighter for longer, this makes it the perfect time to get outside, and get walking. Walking has a whole host of different health benefits that you can use to motivate you to introduce walking into your daily lives.

WALKING IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEART

Keeping your heart in tip top condition is important as your heart is responsible for pumping the oxygen and blood around your body and keeping all the other organs working.  Walking not only strengthens your heart but reduces the risk of heart disease and strokes. A brisk walk for 30 minutes every day is said to reduce your risk of a stroke by 27%. If this wasn’t enough, it also reduces bad levels of cholesterol and increases the levels of good cholesterol too!

WALKING HELPS YOU TO LOSE WEIGHT

If you are trying to lose weight gradually in order to keep it off, then walking is a great form of exercise for you. If you walk at around 2mph for 30 minutes then you will burn around 75 calories. 20 minutes of walking a day will burn an incredible 7lbs of body fat a year.

YOU CAN LOWER YOUR RISK OF DEMENTIA

An older person who walks six or more miles a week is less likely to have problems such as dementia. This is because walking has been proven to prevent your brain from shrinking.

WALKING GIVES YOU ENERGY

There are times when you feel more lethargic than others. If you find yourself in this zone then a walk could do you good. It boosts your circulation and increases the oxygen supply is around your body, which in turn will keep you feeling alert and awake.

IT’S A FULL BODY WORKOUT

Many muscles in your body are activated during walking including; calves, glutes, hamstrings, quads and abdominals, so give it a try and give your legs, bums and tum a workout.

INCREASE YOUR VITAMIN D INTAKE

Here in the UK there are lots of people who are deficient in Vitamin D, the best way to increase your levels of Vitamin D is to get outside in the sunshine. Vitamin D is good for your bone health, as well as your immune system, which is why it is important to try and increase the levels in your body.

WALKING MAKES YOU HAPPY

In the same way walking can help you feel energised, it is also great for making you feel happy. A brisk walk can be just as beneficial as taking an antidepressant, and can be a great helping hand if you are suffering from depression, anxiety or feeling stressed.

WALKING IS GREAT FOR SOCIALISING

After more than a year of restrictions it’s lovely to be able to meet up with family and friends, even with the current restriction in place there are so many people we have missed seeing and going for a walk together it a great way to catch up.  Walking is also a great family activity, after we’ve been stuck inside for so long at’s great to get outside and enjoy some time together.

WHERE TO WALK AROUND SITTINGBOURNE AND FAVERSHAM.

Not only are we very lucky to have so many walks locally. We are also lucky that many trails are available for you to download online.  A great page to start is by visiting the Visit Swale website.  From there you will find links to various walks around Swale.  Two of our favourite local walks can be found on this page, the two creeks walk and the peasants’ last revolt.

The AllTrails website is another great resource for finding walking routes locally, it includes several walks along the Saxon Shore Way, which is a long distance footpath that includes areas of historical importance and some breath-taking views.  For a full list of trails along the Saxon Shore click here

So with so many walks right on our doorstep, will you be walking this May?