Central Coast residents are being urged to put their best foot forward and walk to work on Friday, September 2, as part of Walk to Work Day.
The initiative encourages employees and employers to build regular walking into their daily routines by walking to and from work, taking a walk at lunchtime if possible, and using the stairs instead of elevators and escalators.
The annual event is celebrating its 22nd year and supports Diabetes Australia.
In the last 12 months, 120,000 Australians have been diagnosed with all types of diabetes, making it the fastest growing chronic condition in Australia.
It can lead to a range of debilitating complications including vision loss, limb amputation and kidney and heart disease.
Regular walking helps lower the risk of type 2 diabetes and can help people living with diabetes manage the condition.
It also helps prevent and reduce the impact of other chronic diseases like heart disease and cancer.
Sally Freeman regularly walks around 1.5 kilometres from her home at Berowra to the train station, before catching the train to Gosford and walking to work at Gosford Hospital.
“I started walking as part of my journey to work around May last year and I’ve found it’s not only a great way to clear your head, but it’s also much more convenient,” she said.
“I don’t have to worry about getting a parking space at the station and leaving the car at home allows me to do some studying on the train.
“It’s great because my walk to the station has a couple of routes and in the warmer months I’ll take the bush track past Joe Craft’s Creek; it’s really picturesque.
For Freeman, being active has become a real family affair.
She is currently training for two 50-kilometre ultra-marathons later this year which she will do with her two sisters, brother-in-law and husband.
“I started doing triathlons in my late 30s and really caught the bug,” she said.
“I’ve now done 10, but the ultra-marathons this year will be my furthest distance.”
Nigel Tebb, health promotion officer at Central Coast Local Health District, said walking was also good for mental health and social connectedness.
“The Central Coast is such a beautiful place,” he said.
“Getting out and enjoying our beautiful region by walking not only has great benefits for our physical health, but also reduces our risk of anxiety, stress and depression, and helps us connect more with our community.
“Walking a kilometre only takes about 10 minutes.
“For those of us working from home, you can walk to grab your morning coffee, or get out at lunchtime and take a break from the screen; every little bit helps.”
For more information on Walk to Work Day, visit www.walk.com.au.
Source:
Media release, Aug 23
Central Coast Local Health District