Throughout the month of February, we are encouraging everyone across our community to participate in the Dementia UK challenges.
Every year, we try and support Dementia UK by setting a community challenge to walk as many steps as possible. This year, we’ve got three challenges available to take part in:
Challenge one: 1km per day- An attempt to get out and walk or run 1km per day every day in Feb.
Challenge two: 100km run throughout February – Cover 100km in the month of Feb.
Challenge three: Personal challenge- staff may set their own goals. Goals should be based on being active and measurable.
Dementia UK are a specialist dementia nursing charity that is there for there for the whole family. They provide free, expert advice, support and understanding to help families care for their loved one.
Their “February Steps” is just one of the various ways they raise awareness and money for dementia support, by getting involved your support means the organisations specialist dementia nurses can provide a lifeline for more families affected by dementia.
If you are also wanting to participate in our dementia steps campaign, walking can offer numerous health benefits of all ages and fitness levels. Below are just some to name.
Physical Benefits:
- Heart Health: Walking can improve your heart health by lowering your blood pressure. Simply having a brisk walk increases your heart rate, therefore improving your circulation and lowering your blood pressure.
- Alleviate Joint Pain: For people of any age with arthritis, walking is especially good. It strengthens muscles, which helps shift pressure from joints and reduce pain. As well as, reducing stiffness, and strengthens leg muscles.
- Boosts immune System: Physical activity promotes the movement of immune system via white blood cells to more locations where viruses and bacteria can be identified. Regular walking can help the body fight infections and reduce inflammation.
To read more about the health benefits of walking for your health visit the link to see what advice and tips the NHS page has. https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/walking-for-health/
Mental & Emotional Benefits:
- Reduces stress & anxiety: Participating in walking can have a positive impact on your overall mood. A short burst of 10 minuets of brisk walking can increase our mental alertness, energy and positive mood
- Improves Sleep Quality: Walking can help improve sleep quality by reducing stress, increasing melatonin production, and improving mood. Even walking as little as 10 minutes a day can help improve sleep.
- Enhances Mental Clarity & Memory: Walking may reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Walking increases blood flow to the brain, which delivers more oxygen and nutrients. An article on the British Heart Foundations page says that a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (or BDNF) is also released, which stimulates the growth of new brain cells and connections. This can help your memory and brain to work better. To read more from this article and to learn more of the benefits that walking is capable of giving you, click the following link. https://www.bhf.org.uk/informationsupport/heart-matters-magazine/activity/6-surprising-health-benefits-of-walking
The above information is just a small insight into a few of the benefits of how walking can impact your body. If you or a loved one are less mobile and feel as though you would like to get stepping all over dementia this month, we offer a range of walking aids that are ideal for enhancing mobility and independence.
