The old adage that a healthy body promotes a healthy mind is a cliché, but has a strong basis in truth.
North Tyneside Council offers up to ten health walks a week from various starting points across the borough; and is inviting residents to join in to enjoy the associated health and social benefits.
Health walks are an excellent way to get out and about, in the company of others, while enjoying local scenery ranging from coastline to inland. Walks set off from venues including sport and leisure centres, The White Swan Centre, Whitley Bay Library and St Aidan’s Community Centre in North Shields.
Trish Davison is a volunteer walk leader at The Lakeside Centre. She said: “The walks are really friendly and we have people of all different abilities coming along. There’s a great mix of people and while you’re chatting during the walk you get to know the local area too.
“We know that people enjoy coming along for the company as well as the exercise. We go out in all weathers and some of our walkers wouldn’t have left the house that day if it wasn’t for the walk being on.”
North Tyneside Council is also supporting the One You Physical Activity campaign, a new national drive to encourage adults to build more physical activity into their life by simply walking briskly every day in bursts of ten minutes or more.
Just ten continuous minutes of brisk walking every day can make you feel better, more energetic and improve your mood. Over time, it can lower the risk of serious illnesses like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Residents are invited to download the free Active 10 app from One You, which monitors how much brisk walking the individual is currently doing, how more could be accommodated and provides hints and tips to keep you going.
Search ‘Active 10’ online to find out more or to download the app.
To find out more about North Tyneside Health Walks, visit www.activenorthtyneside.org.uk or call (0191) 643 7171.
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