Dunscroft Unite

Walking for Health

                                             

Health Walks take place every Monday morning (except bank holidays) leaving Dunsville community centre at 10.30am. Everyone is welcome, bring along children, granchildren and even your dog! Tea and buscuits are available after the walk.

Still unsure whether this is for you... please read below to see the benefits:

5 reasons to start walkingcartoon character of 'sedentary' man out walking
For health: walking strengthens your heart, your bones and your muscles ... and it helps to control your weight.
For wealth: walking is free and will enrich your life in many ways.
For happiness: walking improves your mood and helps combat depression.
For comfort: go for a walk in your local park or wood and discover how nature can reduce stress and calm your mind.
For joy: walk with friends or join a walking group and discover just how much fun walking can be!(www.whi.org.uk)

Health benefits of walking

Studies show that walking can:
  • Reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke
  • Lower blood pressure
  • Reduce high cholesterol and improve blood lipid profile
  • Reduce body fat
  • Enhance mental well being
  • Increase bone density, hence helping to prevent osteoporosis
  • Reduce the risk of cancer of the colon
  • Reduce the risk of non insulin dependant diabetes
  • Help to control body weight
  • Help osteoarthritis
  • Help flexibility and co-ordination hence reducing the risk of falls
(Sources: Davison & Grant 1993, US Dept of Health 1996, British Heart Foundation 2000)

Whether you want to walk to improve your general health, to keep fit, to control your weight, or perhaps to recover from a period of ill-health, walking can help. It is something that can be done with children or older family members, it need cost you nothing, and can fit in with any lifestyle, income bracket, culture or domestic circumstance.