Walking and cycling for a better life

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Extract from the article: It has become almost automatic to take out the motorbike or car, even for journeys of just a few hundred metres. Going to buy bread around the corner, visiting a neighbour, dropping a child off at the nearby school... these are all short trips that c

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It has become almost automatic to take out the motorbike or car, even for journeys of just a few hundred metres. Going to buy bread around the corner, visiting a neighbour, dropping a child off at the nearby school... these are all short trips that can be an opportunity to get some exercise, breathe fresh air and take care of your health. In an increasingly sedentary world, walking and cycling are simple, accessible and effective ways to stay healthy.

Spending long hours sitting down, travelling almost exclusively by motorised vehicle and reducing physical activity to a bare minimum has well-known consequences, including chronic fatigue, weight gain, joint pain, high blood pressure, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, not to mention the impact on mental health. However, this does not necessarily mean practising intensive sport. Simply moving more on a daily basis is enough to make a real difference.

Walking: the best natural medicine

Walking is one of the most complete and safest forms of exercise. It improves blood circulation, strengthens the heart, helps regulate weight and reduces stress.

Walking for 20 to 30 minutes a day reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, improves mood and sleep quality, and promotes concentration and mental clarity.

Cycling: getting around while getting fitter

Cycling is an excellent alternative for short and medium journeys. It works your muscles, protects your joints and builds endurance.

Using your bike to get to work, go to the market or visit a friend saves time in congested areas, reduces fuel costs and helps protect the environment.

Reducing the use of motorised transport in everyday life

Getting rid of motorised transport, even partially, does not happen overnight. It starts with a change in mindset. Rethink short journeys: for a quick trip to the shops, walking becomes the rule, not the exception. Plan differently by grouping purchases or visits together to avoid unnecessary travel. Set yourself personal challenges such as ‘Today, I'll walk for everything within 1 km.’ You also need to make walking part of your routine, for example, getting off the bus one stop earlier or parking your car a little further away. Make the most of your walking time by listening to music, thinking, breathing and observing. Little by little, your body will adapt and you will need your motor less and less.

Exercise for body and mind

Walking or cycling isn't just about burning calories. It's also about slowing down, reconnecting with yourself and your surroundings, and reducing anxiety and accumulated stress. In our often hurried and stressful daily lives, these moments become real opportunities to breathe mentally.

An individual choice with collective benefits

Choosing to walk or cycle is also a civic gesture: less pollution, less noise, more conviviality in neighbourhoods. You don't always have to go far to get some exercise. Sometimes, all you have to do is leave the engine off. In the long term, these small, repeated choices make a big difference to your health, well-being and quality of life.

Raymond DZAKPATA