There are many businesses that would describe their line of work as ‘fast-paced’. But it is a fact of modern life that most office jobs involve a large amount of time sitting at a computer, sitting in meetings, or sitting talking on the phone. In terms of physical exertion, it is anything but fast-paced!

And this sedentary working lifestyle comes with a plethora of health risks – it can double the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity, and can increase the risk of mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.

And so, as ‘Walk to Work Day’ officially falls on 1st April, we are taking this opportunity to encourage as many of you as possible to start your working day in a much more energetic way.

The health benefits of a daily walk to work

• It burns calories: Whether you’re looking to lose a little weight, tone up, or maintain a consistently healthy weight, walking can be a great way to burn calories.
• It is good for your heart: Research shows regularly walking can significantly reduce your risk of stroke and heart disease. In fact, walking at least 30 minutes a day five days a week can reduce your risk of coronary heart disease by 19 percent.
• It can aid your immunity: Heading out for a stroll in the sunshine provides the perfect opportunity to top up your vitamin D levels, which is a great way to boost your natural immunity.
• It is a low-impact way to improve your joints: Walking can help to protect your joints, including your knees and hips by lubricating and strengthening the muscles that support them. It can also reduce arthritic pain and even help to prevent arthritis.
• It can boost your energy: Walking increases oxygen flow throughout the body and increases levels of cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine – the hormones that help to elevate energy levels.
• It can improve your mood: Walking has been shown to have a positive impact on mental health, including reducing anxiety and depression.

Make a morning walk the new norm at your place of work

There’s nothing like an invigorating, brisk walk to set you up for the working day. Try to be mindful of everything around you as you walk to work – breathe in the fresh air, listen to the sound of birds singing, and get yourself into a better headspace before tackling the day’s workload.

For those who live too far away from the office to walk to work, jump off the bus a couple of stops earlier than usual or park your car further away from the office.

Alternatively, wait until everyone has arrived and take your morning meeting outdoors for a team ‘walk and talk’ session.

For remote workers, the simple act of taking a walk around the neighbourhood before settling down at your desk for the day can be a helpful way of separating your home life from your working hours.

And if you need a little extra encouragement to stick with it, invest in a fitness tracker to record your daily steps.

Get help from the experts

If you would like further information on how to best to encourage your employees to adopt healthy habits, get in touch with YourGP’s team of Occupational Health specialists on 0131 225 5656 or email occhealth@your.gp.