National Walking Month
All of us should be doing some physical activity every day, which may feel more challenging with the current situation.
The NHS makes the following physical activity recommendations to help us keep well:
- Young people aged 5-18 should aim for an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate intensity physical activity a day across the week
- Adults aged 19-64 should do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes (1 hour and 15 minutes) of vigorous intensity activity a week, or a combination of both
- Older adults (65+) should do at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity a week or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity a week if they are already active, or a combination of both
Moderate intensity activity will raise your heart rate, make you breathe faster and feel warmer. You’ll be able to talk, but not sing. Vigorous intensity exercise will make you breathe hard and fast and it will be more difficult to talk.
Click here for the full NHS guidelines.
May is normally a busy month for me at
Living Streets. As the walking coordinator for the Blackpool ‘Walk To’ Project, I am usually working with schools to coordinate Walk to School Week and with businesses to celebrate National Walking Month.
-Bernard Kennedy
(Walking Coordinator Living Streets based at Public Health Blackpool)
"This year it is very different but the desire to attempt to try some walking and enjoy the benefits is even stronger for most of us."
"Living Streets has a great website with hints and tips to get you started and keep you, your families and your community walking through May, whilst still maintaining social distance. We're inviting everyone to take part in our #Try20 challenge and walk for 20 minutes every day in May."
Find out more at www.livingstreets.org.uk/nwm