May is National Walking Month and our Get Moving ABC Partnership would like to encourage everyone to walk more – whether through active travel, short walks or walking more in the office – to help improve their health and wellbeing.
Walking is one of the easiest ways to stay active, plus it’s free! It is an easy and accessible way to improve physical and mental health and a 20-minute walk can reduce the risk of a number of preventable health conditions, including certain cancers, depression, heart disease and Type 2 diabetes.
By swapping a short drive for a short walk, you can also help reduce air pollution, congestion and road danger – whilst saving yourself some money and getting active in the process!
Walking together also keeps us connected and can help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Next time you head out, why not invite a neighbour or a friend? It often helps to walk in someone else’s shoes and a quick walk and chat might make someone’s day.
The great outdoors is one of our borough’s best assets! With a variety of landscapes and scenery to choose from, it is a place full of walking trails – over 30 to be exact!
The Get Moving ABC Partnership includes representatives from council, Southern Health & Social Care Trust, the Public Health Agency, Sport Northern Ireland, Education Authority, Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke, and the Community & Voluntary Sector.
Further information
Help boost those step counts, by checking out the below links.
- Local walking routes
- Walking Football Programme, Havelock Park, Banbridge
- Nordic Walking Programme, South Lake Leisure Centre
- Physical activity advice from Southern Health and Social Care Trust
