Simple things that can change your life #1 - A Brisk Morning Walk

We all want quick and easy ideas to improve our health and wellbeing. Great Yarmouth Samaritans pick ten 'simple things' that can easily fit into our daily routine.

First in our series of 'simple things' you can try: A Brisk Morning Walk

Research suggests that a daily brisk walk, especially in the morning, can improve your sleep, increase your fitness and improve your mood.

Getting out early means you get more exposure to natural light. Light levels outdoors are at least 10 times brighter than inside which means as soon as you step outside the messages to your brain stop producing the hormone melatonin, which actually helps put you to sleep at night. So by getting out early it actually helps reset your body clock so that in the evening you are ready to sleep. A short walk in the morning can also increase your mood, especially if you suffer from seasonal affective disorder.

To get the full benefits you should aim for around 30 minutes. It doesn't really matter what sort of walk it is - short, long, fast or slow - it will strengthen muscles and bones, reduce joint pain and burn calories.

Of course, to increase benefits just speed up the walk, imagine you a late for an appointment. This brisk walking increases your heart rate, helping cardio fitness and lowering blood pressure. If you can't get out for the full 30 minute walk, just divide it up during the day.