Step into a healthier commute and walk to work this Friday 6 September
Mix up your usual commute and step out on Friday 6 September for Walk to Work Day to help raise awareness of the importance of incorporating walking into your daily routine.
Walk to Work Day is an annual initiative that promotes regular walking as a healthy activity that can help people to maintain physical and mental wellbeing, as well as lower their risk of type 2 diabetes, maintain or improve blood pressure, maintain strong muscles and bones, and help with weight loss.
Coinciding with STEPtember, walking part of the way, or all of the way, to work is a great way to get some extra steps in.
By walking to work, you are also reducing traffic congestion on the roads and improving air quality by reducing unnecessary vehicle emissions.
How you can get involved on Friday 6 September
- If you can't walk all the way, use public transport, and get off the bus, train, light rail or ferry a few stops earlier and walk the rest of the way to work.
- If you do need to drive, leave the car a kilometre or two from your destination and walk the rest of the way.
- If working from home, make sure you take regular breaks and walk as much as you can throughout the day.
- Take a half-hour walk at lunchtime.
- Where possible use the stairs rather than escalators or the lift.
- If you sit at a desk, be sure to get up and walk around at least once every hour.
- Get up and talk to your colleagues instead of sending them emails.
- Rather than holding meetings around a table or over zoom, host a ‘walking meeting’.
- Challenge your work mates and compare your step stats in the lead up to the day.
Stay safe as a pedestrian
It’s easy to become complacent about safety, especially on a familiar route. When walking to work:
- Always use a pedestrian crossing if there is one. They're the safest way to cross the road.
- Even if you’re familiar with a road, always choose the safest place and allow enough time to cross. Always take an extra moment to stop and look out before you step out.
- Don’t be distracted by mobile devices and remove headphones before crossing the road.
- If you’re waiting at traffic lights to cross the road, make sure all vehicles have stopped and are clear of the crossing before you step out.
Visit the Walk to Work website for more tips and information.