Health Benefits of Walking
Walking is an activity that has many health benefits and according to theWorld Health Organizationit helps with weight control and reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, colon and breast cancer. It is an activity that does not require expensive membership to a gym or purchasing any form of exercise machinery. Put simply all that walking requires is comfortable shoes and clothes, a bottle of water, motivation and for those who wish to record their steps a pedometer.
America and Australia publically recognize the importance of walking not only as a form of exercise but also as a means to help the environment and they have organized a National Walk to Work Day to promote walking as opposed to taking public transport or driving.
The National Walk to Work Day is an event that is held annually in America and Australia. Britain also has a similar event that takes place over a week in May. The aim of the National Walk to Work event is to encourage and remind people of the importance of walking. The event organizers and their supporters hope to change people’s routines and rather than taking public transport or driving to work, spend at least fifteen minutes walking. They suggest that this can be accomplished by getting off a bus or train at an earlier stop or taking a walk during the lunch break.
American Heart Association's National Walking Dayevent has been held for the past seven years and is supported by the Department of Health and Human Services and the American Podiatric Medical Association. The event is promoted by the health magazine Prevention and is held on the first Friday in April.
Australian National Walk to Work Day is a well publicized event that is supported by the Australian Pedestrian Council and National Cancer Organization. Donations and fund raising is optional but any money raised goes to Cancer charities. The event has been held for the past thirteen years and in 2012 it is scheduled for the 28th September. The organizers of the event ask the nation to put their ‘Feet First’ and walk for all or part of their journey to work. Participants are asked to aim to walk for at least an extra fifteen minutes during the day. Those wanting to join the event can register on the organizer’s website which also provides information about healthy breakfasts, walking routes, safety, health benefits, sponsorship and fund raising.
