Walking

Walking to work is a fantastic way to get and stay healthy, and best of all it's free.

In fact, did you know that by walking half an hour a day you can half the risk of a Heart attack!

Walking to work is a good way to build exercise into your daily routine and a great commuting option. Its a great way to burn calories and helps maintain a healthy weight, but there are lots of other health benefits too, helping you to achieve a more healthier lifestyle overall.

Walking can help

• Reduce Type 2 Diabetes

• Reduce high cholesterol and lower blood pressure

• Increase mobility and flexibility

• Increase joint, muscle and bone strength which helps reduce the risk of osteoporosis

• Achieve a more toned and supple physique helping you to stay healthy for longer.

Staying Safe

Walking is a safe activity, however it is always best to be prepared and understand your surrounding. The following tips are designed to help make walking an enjoyable experience with your safety in mind

• Look out for road users, when crossing roads it is easier to hear cars and other motor vehicles, but cyclists are much quieter

• Gradually build up your walking stamina. Take it steady at first to prevent yourself from overdoing it. With regular activity you will quickly see the benefits of walking and notice a vast improvement of your overall fitness

• Wear suitable clothing and make sure you are prepared if the weather turns. Be sure to wear bright colours and reflective clothing if you have to walk at night.

• Wear suitable shoes to prevent blisters etc

• Cross roads at suitable crossings, always remembering to look both ways and try to keep to well lit pathways

• Consider finding a walking BUDi from your workplace by creating a profile on Commute2Next

There are lots of free apps that employees can use to help plan their walking journey to work including

Footpath App - The app requires the user to draw a line or circle on the map which will then plot out the route

Choose How You Move also offer a journey finder service

Map My Walk offers tools to create a route and to search existing routes 

For those walking to work, you can apply for an Walk2Work pack (which will include items such as  umbrella, pac a mac, information about safety apps etc)by clicking here. 

Safety of our employees is paramount to NEXT and you may find the following apps a useful resource reduce anxiety you may have about walking to and from work

Walksafe - This app includes a map which details crime spots and streets to avoid. You can set a time of arrival, if you don't arrive home on time an alert will be sent to your emergency contact

Life 360 - Allows you to stay in contact with your emergency contact wherever they are. The app provides alerts to let your contact know you have arrived safely

Kitestring - This app lets you add emergency contacts and to add your journeys and arrival times. Your contact his contacted via SMS if you don’t arrive on time

Red Panic Button - This is a widget that allows you to inform your emergency contact where you are so they can find you

One Scream - This app can detect when you scream and will contact your emergency contact

Hollie Guard - This is a generic alarm profile which activates when you shake your phone notifying your contacts of your location

Silent Beacon - The app will send your location to your emergency contact at the push of one button