#WalkOut
National Walking Month is an annual campaign held every May in the UK, organised by the charity Living Streets. Its goal is simple but powerful: encourage people to walk more and sit less in their everyday lives. This year they’re highlighting the benefits of walking for women
What’s it about?
The call for women to ‘walk out’ for National Walking Month is in recognition of women being more likely to make multi-purpose journeys, such as combining school drop-offs, care responsibilities and errands within a single trip. We want women to go for a walk for themselves – and their own enjoyment.
Research shows that walking can reduce a woman’s chance of getting breast cancer, strengthen the muscles of the pelvic floor, and help women recover after having a baby or experiencing a long illness.
It’s not just good for women – people who walk regularly report being happier and less anxious and have a stronger sense of community. Research also shows that people who walk or wheel to do their shopping spend less money than those who drive.
As well as improving our bodies and our mood, leaving the car at home also helps to cut air pollution and make streets safer.
In general, the campaign promotes walking as:
- A free and accessible form of exercise
- A way to improve physical and mental health
- An opportunity to reduce pollution and traffic congestion
- A chance to connect with your community and surroundings
Common themes & activities
Cancer charity Walk the Walk organises a number of events to coincide with National Walking Month including 26.2 mile MoonWalk marathons in London and Scotland. Walk to School Week happens in May too.
During the month, individuals, schools, and workplaces are also encouraged to:
- Swap short car trips for walking journeys
- Take part in walking challenges (like 10,000 steps a day)
- Organise group walks or “walk to work” days
- Explore local parks, trails, and neighbourhoods
Why walking matters
- Walking regularly can:
- Boost mood and reduce stress
- Improve heart health and fitness
- Help maintain a healthy weight
- Increase creativity and focus
Who can join?
Anyone - there’s no cost or special gear required. Whether it’s a quick stroll to the shops or a longer weekend hike, it all counts. If you opt for a longer hike, it’s important to take a few essentials with you:
- Plenty of water to stay safely hydrated, especially if it’s hot. If carrying a two-litre water bottle for the day doesn’t appeal, consider taking a water purifier so you can drink from streams, rivers or lakes. The LifeSaver Lifeline is perfect for day trips; drink directly from the water source or collect wild water and filter it as you need it, using a Squeeze Pouch.
- A fully charged phone; should you get lost, a map app will help get you back on track, if you get hurt you can call for help, and you can take pictures of interesting views, buildings, wildlife or plants as you go. (And you could send them to us to share!)
- A hat and sunscreen if it’s hot, and a waterproof jacket if there’s a chance it could rain.
- Comfortable shoes. If you’re walking on pavements or paved trails, a pair of trainers should suffice; for off-road rambles, you might be better with walking boots to support your ankles. Comfort is key – you really don’t want to find yourself miles from home or the car with blisters to deal with.
- Have a plan and let someone know where you’re headed and what time you’ll be back. Just in case something happens and you need help.
If you’d like to know more about National Walking Month and how a LifeSaver purifier can keep you safe on your expedition, or to share details and photos of walks you’ve enjoyed, please get in touch.
