Walk this way… for 10 minutes a day
Hackney Council is backing a Public Health campaign to encourage residents to walk briskly for at least 10 minutes a day, every day.
Research from Public Health England has revealed that around 60% of middle aged adults have not walked for 10 or more consecutive minutes in the last month which is a serious health risk.
The Council’s own walking campaign, which launches this week and coincides with a national campaign which launches later in the month, aims to encourage residents to start walking briskly to move around the borough.
Walking briskly - walking faster than normal at a pace that increases the heart rate - for at least 10 minutes a day counts as exercise and is one of the easiest ways to improve health.
A new 'Active 10' app from Public Health England, which is available now and can be downloaded from the Apple or Google Play Store, will help people build brisk walking into their daily routine.Regular walking helps with sleep, improves mood and reduces the risk of developing serious long-term health conditions like diabetes.
Encouraging more people to walk in the borough will also help to cut air pollution by reducing the number of short car journeys that are the most damaging for the environment. Walking can also be quicker than driving or waiting for public transport, is an enjoyable way to get around, costs nothing and is a great way to unwind.
Residents can also choose different routes to get to their destination, helping to enjoy the outdoors, explore sites and landmarks or visit many of Hackney’s green spaces and local parks.
We’re supporting the national campaign around walking this month as we know it’s an enjoyable, quick, free and healthy way get around, relax and get healthy. We want to help residents set themselves a target of walking briskly for at least 10 minutes a day, it’s a great way to get the heart racing, stay healthy and helps reduce the risk of serious long-term health issues.
If public transport is necessary, why not get off a stop or two early and walk briskly the rest of the way. You could also invite family and friends to walk with you, join one of the many free walking clubs in the borough or download a walking route map from our website and experience some of Hackney’s iconic sites, green spaces and award winning parks.
Public Health England launch a national campaign this month to encourage people to walk more as part of a healthier lifestyle. The new 'Active 10' app will make walking a routine while helping users build up the time they walk, from just 10 minutes a day, for long-term health benefits.
To get started, visit the Council’s walking webpage.