Over 50% of Brits walk to improve their mental health

A new survey commissioned by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking, has found that 54% of the population who walk say they do so to improve their mental health and happiness. Other reasons included:- "to get fresh air" (57%), "it gets me moving more" (53%) and to "connect with nature" (28%).

A daily walk can reduce a person's risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and cancer, as well as improving fitness in the long run. It's also one of the easiest ways to socialise and stay connected to our community, helping us feel less lonely and isolated.

That's why this May, Living Streets is encouraging people to #Try20 and walk for 20 minutes each day as part of National Walking Month.

While walking is a proven way to improve mental and physical wellbeing, it's clear that many people aren't doing it often enough. As part of a YouGov survey conducted by Living Streets, 22% of walking Brits say they spend less than 20 minutes walking in an average day, even though 40% say they feel:- "anxious, irritable, or lonely" after spending an entire day at home. 36% of survey respondents also said they feel:- "less fit" after just one day without leaving the house.

Dame Jane Roberts, a doctor, child psychiatrist and Chair of Living Streets, said:- "With the UK in the grip of a mental health crisis, it's encouraging to hear that so many of us walk to feel happier. Research shows people who are active through walking report higher levels of mental wellbeing and feel happier and less anxious; that's the magic of walking. As well as the physical benefits, walking can really help us switch off from the pressures of modern life. It's a great way to spend time with friends and family; and to meet new people – helping reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation. Even a short, brisk walk can have wonderful mental and physical health benefits that we shouldn't take for granted; and just 20 minutes a day can have a really positive impact."

Living Streets is urging people to invite others to join them for a walk while they complete the #Try20 challenge for National Walking Month 2024 and discover the magic of walking.

To find out more, visit:- LivingStreets.Org.UK or search social media with the hashtags:- #Try20 and #MagicOfWalking

Background:- A University of Cambridge study from 2023 found that a daily walk can prevent 1 in 10 early deaths, as well as improving fitness, sleep and heart health in the long run. A fast-paced short walk is enough to reduce the risk of developing heart disease and stroke by 17% and cancer by 7%, the findings suggest.

Pay packets worth less than 2008 in 7 in 10 North West local authorities

PAY packets are still worth less than in 2008 in 69% of the North West's local authorities, according to new TUC analysis. The analysis of official statistics shows that 16 years on from the financial crash wages are lower; in real terms; in 22 of the Region's 32 local authorities (for which data is available).

Across the region as whole average weekly pay is still £4 a week lower; in real terms; than in 2008 after more than decade of stagnation. And in every North West local authority real wages are far below where they would be if they had grown at the pre-2008 growth rate.

The union body estimates that if wage growth had been sustained at previous rates the average North West worker would be £190 a week better off.

Unprecedented pay squeeze...

The TUC described the findings as a:- "damning indictment" on the Conservatives' economic record.

Millions of UK workers are currently enduring the longest pay squeeze in more than 200 years.

Not since Napoleonic times has there been such a sustained period of wage stagnation.

The analysis shows that even in areas where real wages have recovered; pay growth is way below historic trends.

The UK has one of the worst records among OECD nations for pay growth since the financial crisis.

When the Conservatives took office in 2010, a wage recovery was already underway following the financial crisis.

However, the wage recovery went into reverse when the Conservatives hit the UK with their austerity programme, including real terms pay cuts across the public sector.

TUC Regional Secretary James McKenna said:- "Hard work should pay for everyone. But people are still worse off than in 2008 in the vast majority of the North West. And in every corner of the region pay growth is way below historic trends. This is a damning indictment of the Conservatives' economic record. This is the same government that's given us the most dramatic fall in living standards on record. The Tories failure to grow the economy; and their scorched earth austerity policies; has decimated family budgets. Just imagine how much better off people would be if they had an extra £190 a week in their pay packets; and how much more prosperous the country would be. It doesn't have to be this way. We can create a new era of decent pay growth again where families' living standards rise rather than falling backwards. But we need a new approach to get there. That means a proper plan to get the economy growing again by investing in UK industry, and a New Deal so that working people get a fair share of the wealth they create."