28 Apr May is National Walking Month – Find Your Active
Find Your Active is focused on helping people find time to move, get more active and enjoy the benefits. This month it’s about finding time to get outside and discovering new activities as well as exploring nature all around and enjoying the spring weather. The warmer weather should make getting outside easier and more enjoyable.
Increasing your time spent outside can have many benefits, especially when we’re more exposed to the sun, and can increase our vitamin D intake which improves mental health and physical performance. Time outside can reduce stress and anxiety and encourage you to be more active which subsequently means increased physical health benefits.
Getting outside and the positive outcomes from this can be experienced by anyone. The Able like Mabel campaign emphasises the importance of gentle movement and how older residents should include these movements into their everyday routine to improve mental and physical functions. Getting outside for these residents could mean gardening, walking, or outside yoga which is not too strenuous but can benefit them greatly.
Walking is one of the many ways we can enjoy the outdoors more and with May being National Walking Month, it’s the perfect opportunity to explore more of our beautiful county through taking a stroll no matter the distance. Not only can walking be a great way to get active and get out into nature but it can be a chance to socialise or create support groups. Setting up walking groups can be a fantastic means of support because whilst gently exercising, it allows for conversations to take place in which people might need to express their worries or anxieties.
Getting outside of course is not limited to walking and with Ford RideLondon – Essex returning at the end of May, it’s the perfect source of inspiration for people to get out on their bikes or even be inspired to learn how to ride a bike if they haven’t had the chance. Cycling, like walking, has many physical and mental benefits as well as being a social activity. Essex roads are perfect for cycling and there are hidden gems all over the county of lanes and roads that are quiet and safe and surrounded by nature.
Enjoy the May sunshine and the blossoming flowers and trees that have been brought on by Spring! Getting outside and active has never been easier.
To find out more, visit the webpage below, or get in touch to see how we can support.
www.activeessex.org/find-your-active
