Why should I walk to work?

Physical activity can help prevent:

• Heart disease
• Obesity
• High blood pressure
• Type 2 diabetes
• Osteoporosis (thinning bones)
• Some cancers
• Mental health problems such as depression

Physical activity also helps you stay at a healthy weight, reduce stress, sleep better, and feel better overall.

These days many of us work in desk jobs, spending many hours a day sitting down. Prolonged sitting is neither a natural nor comfortable position for the body. It often results in physical and mental problems such as back pain, muscle stiffness, poor concentration, restlessness and weight gain. By walking to and from work rather than using motorised transport, you will give your body what it craves and improve your productivity throughout the day.

Walking also reduces your contribution to traffic congestion, air pollution and climate change. Sixty percent of the pollution from car emissions happens in the first few minutes of operation, before pollution control devices can work effectively. Since "cold starts" create high levels of emissions, shorter car trips are more polluting on a per-kilometre basis than longer trips. So, for trips under two kilometres, consider ditching the car and taking a healthy 10-20 minute walk.

So get up, get out, get some fresh air into your lungs, and get to know your neighbourhood a little better...