National Walking Day: Breast Cancer Now’s top tips to step up your walking

National Walking Day on 2 April is a fantastic opportunity to look at our daily lives and explore where and how we can get outdoors to enjoy a walk in the fresh air more.

We know that physical activity and a healthy lifestyle can help reduce the risk of developing breast cancer, can help with side effects of breast cancer treatment and may reduce the risk of cancer returning following treatment for primary breast cancer. It also brings a host of other physical and mental health benefits. Walking is an accessible and easy way to boost mental well-being, reduce stress, and improve sleep quality and it’s free! Most of us already walk in our daily lives, but how can we walk more, and how can we get the most from our daily walks?

Here are six tips to help you step up your walking:

Park further away: If you want to get your steps in, why not park further away from the places you drive regularly. This could be a case of parking down the street from your destination or parking further away in the carpark from the supermarket.

Get off at an earlier stop or station on your daily commute: As we enter the warmer months, it’s a great idea to incorporate extra steps into your daily commute. You can get off at an earlier station and enjoy the walk to your place of work, stretch your legs and boost your step count.

Mindful walking: When you do walk, try to stay in present-moment sensations. Focus on the sound of the birds, your breathing, the smells around you, or the sensations of your feet hitting the ground. Mindful walking can help us stay in the moment, relieve stress, and allow us to take those important mental breaks as we strive through our busy routines.

Walk and talk: If you’ve got a meeting or phone call, why not walk during it? Or consider inviting friends or family to walk with you to make the experience more social, fun and motivating.

Post-dinner strolls: After a meal, a gentle walk can aid digestion and prevent that uncomfortable post-meal feeling. Plus, it’s an easy way to unwind and enjoy some fresh air after a busy day.

Set a step goal: Using a fitness tracker could help motivate you to reach daily or weekly goals. Start small, then gradually increase your target as you build up your fitness. Or, why not step up further by signing up to a walking challenge like Breast Cancer Now’s 10 or 20 mile Pink Ribbon Walks. Setting a goal like this can help you stay motivated while supporting an important cause.

Join a Pink Ribbon Walk

If you’re excited about walking more often why not put your best foot forward to support people affected by breast cancer by joining a 10 or 20 mile Pink Ribbon Walk? You can choose from four beautiful locations and the walks run from April to June. With every stride you’ll help Breast Cancer Now continue to provide support for today and hope for the future through its world-class research and life-changing support.

This year, the walks will take place at:

• Hampton Court Palace on Saturday, 26 April
• Blenheim Palace on Saturday, 10 May
• Crieff Hydro in Scotland on Saturday, 31 May
• Chatsworth House on Saturday, 21 June

Challenge yourself to a Pink Ribbon Walk and help fund world-class research and life-changing support for anyone affected by breast cancer. Find out more and register now at https://breastcancernow.org/prw