Walking

Discover the benefits

Walking part or all of the way to work or school even once or twice a week can make a difference to your health.

Walking is a low-impact activity, making it one of the safest ways to exercise without putting strain on your muscles or joints.

You do not have to walk for hours. A brisk daily walk has lots of health benefits and counts towards your 150 minutes of weekly exercise, as recommended in the physical activity guidelines for adults aged 19 to 64.

Walking briskly an extra 20 minutes each day will help you build stamina, burn excess calories, and make your heart healthier. 

Try to build walking into your normal everyday routine. For example, you could:

• go for a walk at lunchtime - this can give you an energy boost for the afternoon
• get off the bus a stop earlier than usual
• walk to the shops instead of using the car
• walk up flights of stairs, rather than use a lift

People who walk have reported:

• higher energy levels
• higher stamina levels
• reduced stress levels
• decreased levels of illness
• improved feeling of well being

Walking helps to:

• prevent osteoporosis
• reduce the risk of heart disease
• reduce the risk of certain cancers

Walking supports the environment by:

• having no adverse effects on the environment
• offering an alternative to car use if it's a short journey 
• cutting down on traffic congestion and pollution

So, if you're looking for a way to get from A to B on shorter journeys then walking is the answer. It:

• is totally adaptable to your own timetable
• has no waiting in traffic jams
• supports the environment
• allows time to look and notice the changing seasons all around you
• is free

For more information on walking and its benefits, contact the Public Health Agency or Walking for Health.

Walking to school

Walking to school improves children's health and allows them to travel independently - but their safety and security is paramount.

You can find out more on the walking to school page.

Staying safe

There are a few simple rules for walkers that can keep you safe. You can find out more from The Highway Code, which contains rules for pedestrians.

There's also detailed information on road safety at these links:

• Road safety for primary school children
• Road safety for post-primary school children
• Think! Road Safety