May is #NationalWalkingMonth! Walking is good for our minds and bodies and has been a lifeline during the past year, helping people stay active, connected, and positive. As well as the personal benefits, lockdown highlighted the improvements that can be made to congestion and air quality when we drive less. That is why we should #WalkThisMay.

To take part in National Walking Month, pledge to #WalkThisMay and see how many short journeys you can walk instead of using the car.

With this page, we will share the benefits of walking, as well as some fun challenges and activities to get involved in throughout this month, we cannot wait to see how many steps you do throughout May!

Why You Should Start Walking

• Burn Calories– walking can help your burn calories.
• Strengthen the heart– walking at least 30 minutes a day can reduce your risk for coronary heart disease by about 19%.
• Boosts immune function– walking may reduce your risk of developing a cold or flu.
• Improves your mood– walking can help your mental health, it can help to reduce anxiety, depression, and a negative mood.
• Boost your energy– going for a walk when you are tired may be a more effective energy boost than grabbing a cup of coffee.
• Creative thinking– walking may help clear your head and help you think creatively.

Challenge Yourself And #WalkThisMay

We want to encourage you to make the most of this active month so why not challenge yourself to a personal goal of steps walked in May!

Whether it is a personal challenge or a challenge you take on as a family, use our #WalkThisMay activity sheet to record the steps you and your family complete every day throughout May and get rewarded at the end of the month for your total steps!

You can track your daily steps through a smart fitness watch or even just your smartphone, you should aim to walk 10,000 steps a day, however, we know that is not easy for most people, so set yourself a personal challenge with is achievable for you.

Everyday Active Walking Challenge

To support National Walking Month, Kent Sport has put on a walking challenge, inviting you to walk every day and log your steps to help reach an overall challenge target of 40 million steps in May. Whether it is a walk from a shop or you challenge yourself to a longer more strenuous walk, everything counts.

Register and get ready to start logging your steps today!

We hope you enjoy getting involved and walking this may see how walking can benefit your health and wellbeing, as well as taking part in challenges and walking activities!

Later on this month, we also are celebrating walk to school week, which is very appropriate for the month of May. We want to know what sorts of things you see on your walking adventure to school; you can share with Explore Kent by heading over to our page all about this wonderful week and take part in our walk-to-school journey activity!

If you need some inspiration for some new and exciting walks, you can either download the Kent Connected App and follow one of Explore Kent’s walking routes, or alternatively, you can visit our activity page where you can access all of our walking routes.

How many steps will you do this May?!