Walk to Work Day: why you should be taking part!

Who has time to Walk to Work we hear you ask? Not many of us is our honest answer…..however what about if you MADE time? We’re always rushing around, dropping the kids off at school, getting stuck in rush-hour traffic, it sometimes seems impossible to consider not using the car or public transport. But maybe just maybe this Friday, on National Walk to Work Day, you could try it out and see how you feel?

We’re not saying you have to walk the full journey, we’re not saying you have to do it every day, but would you consider it once a week? A couple of times a month? You will feel so much better for it, especially with the lighter nights at the moment and hopefully warmer weather just around the corner!

Why don’t you set yourself a challenge this Friday and change up your routine to add a bit of excitement into your week? Start the day off the right way and get to work all refreshed, motivated and rearing to go! Here’s some of the amazing benefits you will experience if you do:

  • It can help you wake up in the morning. It will give you chance to clear your head and get yourself mentally prepared for the day ahead. You could even plan what you need to work on that day or think about opportunities at work that you want to focus on or challenges you want to set yourself.
  • Walking to work can help you re-connect with our environment and take time to appreciate the simple things in life – whether it’s the feel of the wind on your skin, the sun overhead, the beautiful Spring flowers pushing through or the sound of birds in the trees, it’s things we sometimes miss in our hectic lives.
  • From helping you lose weight and de-stress to lowering your blood pressure and reducing your risk of many chronic diseases – going for regular walks is one of the best and easiest things you can do for your health.

So what do you need to do to prepare yourself for your big walk on Friday?

  1. Plan your route, work out which way you will walk (and remember to keep to a safe route!) and how long it will take you – you will need to set your alarm a bit earlier!
  2. Pack yourself a breakfast you can eat on the go, or eat something filling and healthy before you set off (porridge with fruit is a good one as it’s packed full of slow releasing carbs).
  3. Wear the right clothes! Something comfy, especially on your feet, and prepare for rain just in case. You will probably need a change of clothing for when you get to work too.
  4. Don’t put pressure on yourself to walk the entire way to work if you live too far away, why don’t you try getting off the bus a couple of stops early or parking out of town and walking in a mile or two?
  5. If there’s no way you can walk to work try some other healthy ideas – a step challenge with your colleagues to see who can get to 10,000 steps first on Friday or a lift ban at work to make you take the steps more!

Our MD Craig walks to work every day, or cycles, but that’s because he doesn’t live too far away from the office. We also have our gorgeous office dog, Jean Jacques, and that’s another great excuse to get walking at lunchtime – and to grab a bit of fresh air to break up the day! So what will you be doing this Friday? Share your ideas and photos with us and we will share them on our social media sites – just tag us into your pics on Twitter @worksrec!