Blog: Why Walking or Wheeling Matter

National Walking Month is a great opportunity to pause and recognise how powerful regular walking and wheeling can be for our physical, mental and emotional wellbeing, especially when it’s part of daily routines like travelling locally, taking a break outside or spending time with others.

Research consistently shows that regular walking helps keep our hearts strong, supports joints and mobility and reduces the risk of long-term conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

And the good news is that it doesn’t need to be fast or long to make a difference.

New research by Harvard Medical School suggests that around 5,000–7,000 steps a day is linked to better health outcomes, with benefits building gradually as people move more. This might look different for everyone but a short walk to the shops, wheeling to a local group or more movement across the day, all count.

Walking is also one of the most accessible ways to support mental health. Studies show it can help reduce stress and anxiety, boost mood and improve overall wellbeing. Being outdoors, whether in a park, on a local path or around your neighbourhood, can help create space to reset and feel calmer.

For many people, walking or wheeling is also about connection. Walking with others or joining a local group can reduce loneliness and help build confidence to stay active.

The UK Chief Medical Officers recommend being physically active every day, working towards 150 minutes of activity a week. This doesn’t have to happen all at once. Short bursts of walking or wheeling spread across the day still bring real benefits. The key message is simple: doing something is always better than doing nothing.

At Active Kent & Medway, we’re passionate about helping people across Kent and Medway find ways to move more that fit into everyday life. Walking and wheeling are inclusive, flexible and rooted in everyday routines, which is why they’re such a powerful starting point.

This National Walking Month, my advice is to start where you are. Add one more walk or wheel. One more active journey. One more moment of movement. Over time, these moments add up and bring real benefits to our bodies and minds.

If you’re looking for ideas, inspiration or local opportunities, explore our dedicated Everyday Active walking pages to find what works for you.

Published: May 2026

This blog was partly generated using AI technology. It was sense checked and reviewed by Active Kent & Medway to ensure accuracy and alignment with our mission and values.