With lighter nights here at last, spring is in full swing. And, with May marking National Walking Month, it’s the perfect time of year to look at boosting your daily step count.

The good news is, you don’t have to go hiking for hours or have any specific equipment – just some comfortable shoes.

According to the NHS, a brisk 10-minute daily walk has plenty of health benefits, including building stamina, burning calories, and helping your heart health. It’s also hugely beneficial to your mental health, helping to reduce stress, improve your mood, and boost your motivation and focus. And on top of all that, it’s free!

If you’re not particularly active, try to increase your distance gradually. Don’t overdo anything and don’t push yourself too hard. Enjoying your walk is the most important thing.

Boosting your step count doesn’t mean being outdoors, either. There are plenty of ways you can add a little extra movement into your daily routine at home or work.

Here are five easy and enjoyable ways for you to increase your step count.

1. Join a walking group

Meeting up with a group is a great motivator. You’ll meet new people and won’t have to worry about planning your own route. Having a regular walk planned for the same time each week will soon help walking become routine. Plus, walking with others means having an “accountability buddy”!

Ramblers, Britain’s walking charity, offers a range of group walks that you could join, geared at a range of age groups and fitness levels.

2. Get your steps in even when you’re at home

If you sit a lot at home or work, getting up and going up and down the stairs a few times every 30 minutes can get your step count up and prevent you from being overly sedentary.

You could even try a walking pad to use while you’re working or watching TV. Little changes like this can build some extra steps and movement into your everyday routine.

3. Listen to podcasts, audiobooks, or music

If you’re walking alone, it’s a great opportunity to listen to some of your favourite music. As well as the entertainment factor, this can also help you get into a good rhythm as you walk.

Alternatively, playing a podcast or audiobook can also really add to your walk, plus they’re a good way of timing how long you’re out.

Set yourself the challenge of walking for an entire 30-minute podcast or 10 chapters of an audiobook, for example – and you can always build up to longer ones if you feel like really boosting your step count.

4. Take part in a challenge

Having something to aim for will really help you to get motivated. This could be fundraising for a chosen charity, such as the Samaritans Dawn Walk, a five-kilometre sunrise walk along a route of your choosing, either alone or with a group.

Or, you could set yourself a challenge of a long-distance route, such as the West Highland Way in Scotland. This 96-mile route takes place in the beautiful wild landscapes from Milngavie to Fort William, and you can be as leisurely or fast-paced as you choose. Just enjoy the ramble, scenery, and sense of achievement when you finish.

If you do decide to challenge yourself to some longer outdoor walks, you might want to invest in some proper walking shoes, a robust backpack, and a good-quality waterproof. Remember to pack sunscreen and water, too – you’ll be at the mercy of the elements so you need to be prepared for all eventualities!

5. Play active games with children, grandchildren, and pets

A clever way to increase your step count is to get your whole family involved! If you have children or grandchildren, there’s nothing they love more than you getting stuck in and playing some active games with them, like a treasure hunt around the house or garden.

Walking a dog is also a great way to get yourself outside every day. Or, if you don’t have a pet of your own, you could offer to walk a neighbour’s dog occasionally.

Get in touch

The power of walking is often underestimated. But it really is a fantastic way to keep yourself fit and active and give your mental health a boost at the same time.

While we can’t help you increase your step count, we could support you in organising your wealth so you can enjoy the lifestyle you want.

If you’d like help keeping your finances in good shape, please get in touch.

Email hello@intelligentpensions.com or call 0800 077 8807.

Please note

This article is for general information only and does not constitute advice. The information is aimed at retail clients only.