May is National Walking Month 2025 – a campaign designed to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to get outside and embrace the many benefits of walking. It’s a chance to enjoy one of the simplest, yet most powerful ways to improve our health, explore the outdoors and feel more connected with nature and our communities.
Why We Love It at Active Health Clinics
Here at Active Health Clinics, we’re big believers in the power of movement. We constantly remind our patients how important it is to keep moving, for both body and mind and we make sure we follow that advice ourselves.
Personally, I’m a huge fan of walking. I walk to work every day; it’s just over a mile each way and takes me around 25 minutes. But I wouldn’t change it for anything. That morning walk is so valuable. It gives me time to wake up properly, clear my head and move my body before sitting down at my desk for the day. As someone who works long hours at a desk, having those 25 minutes built into my routine is absolutely essential.
And then there’s the walk home, another 25 minutes that helps me unwind, process the day and mentally switch off. It’s like a reset button between work and home life and I find it really helps me maintain a healthier balance.
At weekends, I always go for longer walks with friends, sometimes an hour or two, and I absolutely love it. Not only is it great for both physical and mental health but it’s also a brilliant chance to catch up with people and get some fresh air while staying active.
The Health Benefits of Walking
Regular walking brings a wide range of benefits:
- Improves cardiovascular fitness
- Helps maintain a healthy weight
- Reduces stress and lifts your mood
- Increases energy levels
- Enhances creativity and cognitive function
- Supports better sleep quality
- Reduces the risk of aches, stiffness and joint pain, especially important for desk-based workers
And of course, there’s the environmental impact. By choosing to walk instead of drive, even for shorter journeys, we help reduce pollution, cut emissions and make our local areas quieter, safer and more enjoyable places to live.
Make Time to Move
So this May, let’s all step up to the challenge. Whether it’s walking to work, heading out on a lunchtime stroll or enjoying a weekend ramble, every step truly counts.
Walking is free, low-impact and suitable for nearly everyone and it might just be the simplest, most effective way to boost your health, lift your spirits and stay pain-free.
Your body, your mind and the planet will thank you for it.
How Can You Get Involved?
There are lots of enjoyable and easy ways to take part:
- Join a walking challenge – Local or online, these are a great way to stay motivated and feel part of a community.
- Organise group walks – Gather your friends, family, colleagues or neighbours and explore local parks, countryside or urban routes together.
- Share your journey – Post your routes, photos and reflections on social media to inspire others.
- Suggest walking meetings – A brilliant way to stay active while still getting things done at work.
- Support walking charities – Volunteer or raise funds for organisations that promote active, healthy lifestyles.
