Friday 5 April is Walk to Work Day, a perfect opportunity to leave the car at home and make the daily commute on foot.
In his second post for ‘The Step in the Right Direction Hull Blog’, Paul Schofield, a tour guide in the city for more than 30 years, talks about why Hull is ideal for walking to the office or workplace.
As a tour guide, I make my living from walking so, unsurprisingly, I cannot recommend it enough.
Hull, in particular, is excellent to navigate on foot, thanks to its flat landscape.
As I’ve mentioned before, walking is perfect for all ages and abilities and offers lots of benefits, not least for the environment, as it helps to reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality.
Walking also benefits our health and wellbeing as well as our pocket, which is very important at a time when many of us are watching what we spend.
Here are just a few examples of how walking to work can positively impact your day.
Walking is a great form of exercise
It helps to burn calories, strengthen the heart and cardiovascular system, lower blood sugar, ease joint pain, boost your immune function and energy levels, improve your mood and extend your life.
Every minute of exercise counts. A simple walk to work and back can help keep you healthy and means you don’t eat into your spare time, as you have incorporated exercise as a normal part of your daily routine.
Walking is good for your mental health
It is well documented that exercise has positive mental health benefits.
Physical activity causes chemical changes in the brain, such as the release of endorphins, which can positively change your mood. This, in turn, can positively impact your level of motivation and self-esteem, boosting your energy levels and increasing productivity at work.
Walking can also help you become more mindful. By not driving or looking down at a screen on the bus or in a taxi, you can pay more attention to the things around you. By exploring your local area, you might find shortcuts, new sights and sounds or maybe even a new favourite walk through nature.
Walking to work can also help you to feel less stressed and provides a moment to reflect and think, without the added pressure of office or workplace surroundings, allowing you to organise your mind before you start your day.
Walking can help save money
You’d be surprised by how much money you could save by walking to work. Even just one day a week can see the fare you’d usually put aside for public transport or fuel costs associated with driving all add up.
For more information about walking in Hull, visit: www.travelhull.co.uk/walk
Until next time, happy walking!
Paul Schofield
Hull Tour Guide
