The ‘Natural’ Health Service
Are you sitting comfortably? Do you feel that you could benefit from getting out and about and a little more active? Denbighshire is one of the best counties in the UK in terms of having an accessible high quality natural environment on our doorstep that can provide great benefits to your health, and we’re not talking about taking a strenuous walk along the tops of mountains.
As the nation faces increasing challenges to keep healthy, one of the best, most simple medicines is to get out there and walk regularly. Walking has been proven to improve self-confidence, stamina and weight control and to reduce anxiety and stress and reduces the risk of certain diseases such as diabetes and some types of cancers.
Denbighshire Let’s Walk Group has over 14 weekly walks led by volunteer walk leaders across the county from Rhyl, St Asaph, Dyserth, Corwen, Llangollen and Prestatyn to name a few. The group has seen incredible successes seeing people loosing significant weight, overcoming bereavements, being able to become more active due to increased fitness and getting into employment due to an increase in self-confidence. Details of the walks are available at http://www.denbighshirecountryside.org.uk/lets_walk/ or by calling Loggerheads County Park on 01352 810586. If you are worried about whether the walk will be suitable for you – talk to the walk leader who will be able to provide advice or call Katrina Day our Walking Development Officer on 01745 356197. We would also be interested to hear from people who would be interested in becoming a walk leader.
If you’d prefer to explore yourself there are lots of suggested routes and places to visit on http://www.denbighshirecountryside.org.uk/walking/
If you need more convincing, then these facts will make you think again. Regular walking helps manage blood pressure and reduces the risk of strokes by 27%, reduces the risks of type 2 diabetes by 60% and you’re 20% less likely to develop cancer of the breast, colon or womb. Older people who walk six miles or more a week are more resilient to dementia, and besides all of this it just makes you feel good.
So, go on and put your best foot forward, go for a walk, start off with a short walk and if you want company, the Let’s Walk groups would love to see you and give you a warm welcome.