CHARLES DICKENS WAS RIGHT
Follow his advice and you too could reduce your risk of early death, lower your chance of Alzheimer’s, beat those sugary cravings, sleep better and improve your mental health
Charles Dickens is much-loved for his contribution to English literature but did you know he also had some very sage advice; “Walk and be happy, walk and be healthy”. Scientific studies are proving him to be correct. Walking really is one of the most powerful and simplest of changes you can make to your health and wellbeing.
Paul T Williams, Ph.D, a staff scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, in Berkeley, California, describes walking as: “A wonder drug, except that you don’t need a prescription and you don’t have to pay for it.”
Research has discovered that a brisk 20-minute daily walk reduces an individual’s risk of early death by 25 per cent.
Walking has also been found to boost your immune system, lower blood pressure, reduce risk of cardiovascular disease and prevent arthritis from getting worse, not to mention it helps to burn off those mince pies!
If you need any further convincing of why you should take up walking in 2019, here’s seven more reasons:
1. Convenient
You can easily incorporate walking into your busy daily life. Walking can be done anywhere and there are always opportunities even on the busiest of days to boost your step count. You could try parking in a space further away or going for a quick walk during your lunch break. Every step counts.
2. Cheap
After the initial investment in good quality, comfortable walking shoes or boots, it is a very cheap way to exercise – no endless monthly fees to pay for. Whalley Warm & Dry can even give you the comfort of a custom-made pair of boots for a fraction of the price with their award-winning Specialist Boot Fitting Service, walking boots available in five different widths plus their free customisation service which personalises the footwear to match the contours of your feet.
3. Low impact
Walking is a great way to start exercising again and gently raise fitness levels. It’s suitable for all ages and abilities and has just a one to five per cent risk of exercise related injury compared to running which has a 20 to 70 per cent chance.
4. No special skills required
Great news, you already possess all the skills you need to take up walking. Assuming you have comfortable footwear, you can enjoy walking from the very first step. No new techniques to master or steps to learn.
5. Sociable
Walking can of course be enjoyed as a solitary pursuit but joining a walking group gives you a fantastic opportunity to meet people and discover new trails. The camaraderie and support from walking groups such as The Ramblers or Walking for Health can also help you to achieve your fitness goals.
6. Fresh air
As a society, we are spending so much of our lives indoors and we are missing out on our essential need for fresh air and time in the great outdoors. Rather than adding to our time indoors by exercising inside, walking provides a chance for us to reconnect with nature and experience the benefits it can bring.
7. Variety is the spice of life
There are thousands of walking paths criss-crossing the length and breadth of the country all waiting for you to discover them. Why exercise on a treadmill when you can explore the stunning landscapes in the Ribble Valley and beyond.
So, what are you waiting for? Grab your boots and walk, stroll, amble or trek your way to better health in 2019.
Boot fitting appointments available when Whalley Warm & Dry re-open on Wednesday 2nd January 2019. Please call or book online.
Whalley Warm & Dry
82 King Street
Whalley BB7 9SN
01254 822220
www.whalleyoutdoor.co.uk
