Try walking

The campaign recognises that environmental pressures, such as desk jobs and long commutes, make healthy choices difficult.

However, inactivity is making people unhealthy and unhappy.

It accounts for one in six deaths in the UK and is costing the health service up to £10billion a year.

One way or another, we need to find a way to introduce more activity into our lives.

Swapping four wheels for two feet is one of the best places to start.

Walking is free and has many more benefits than people often realise.

It reduces the risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer, stroke and depression.

What’s more, walking is very easy to fit into our daily lives.

Adults are recommended to be physically active for 150 minutes a week.

By choosing to walk on the school run, popping out on your lunch hour for a stroll or taking a walk at the end of the day to unwind you can easily start building these minutes up.

National Walking Month, organised by Living Streets, takes place every May.

This year we’re encouraging everyone to Try20 – to fit 20 minutes of walking into their day.

Try20 this May and start enjoying the many benefits walking brings.

Emily Humphreys,

Director of Policy and Communications,

Living Streets,

Wentworth Street,

London.