Every Step Counts: How Walking to Work Can Boost Your Health and Help Manage Diabetes

With Walk to Work Day just around the corner on Friday 1st September, now is the perfect time to lace up your walking shoes and step into a healthier lifestyle. Supporting Diabetes Australia, Walk to Work Day encourages Australians to incorporate walking into their daily routines, offering significant health benefits - especially for those managing diabetes.

New Research: Just 4,000 Steps a Day Can Make a Difference

A recent study has revealed that walking as few as 4,000 steps a day can significantly improve your health. The study found that the risk of cardiovascular disease could be reduced by walking just 2,300 steps per day, and that walking 4,000 steps per day can greatly decrease the risk of dying from any cause. Every additional 1,000 steps brings a further 15% reduction in risk.

While 10,000 steps per day is often promoted as the ideal target, this new research highlights that even a smaller number of steps can have substantial health benefits. For those who struggle to find time for long walks, this is a welcome reminder that every step counts.

“The World Health Organisation reports that insufficient physical activity is the fourth-leading risk for death - an avoidable statistic,” says Pedestrian Council CEO Harold Scruby. “This new study shows that even short, regular walks can make a big difference, encouraging people to set realistic goals and start walking, even if it’s just for a few minutes each day.”

The Benefits of Walking for People with Diabetes

Walking is not just beneficial for overall health; it’s particularly important for people with diabetes. Hayley Nicholson, an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Credentialled Diabetes Educator, emphasizes that regular walking helps manage blood glucose levels, reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and alleviate complications such as diabetic neuropathy, which can cause pain and numbness in the feet.

“We’ve known for a long time that regular walking helps to keep blood glucose levels in a healthy range,” Nicholson says. “But it’s also important to note that walking can reduce complications, including reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and alleviating conditions such as diabetic neuropathy.”

For the millions of Australians living with diabetes or at risk of developing it, building walking into daily routines is a simple yet powerful way to improve health and well-being. Employers can also play a crucial role by encouraging employees to walk to work or incorporate walking breaks into their day, creating a healthier and more productive workplace.

How MedicAlert Can Support Your Walk to Work

As you take those important steps towards better health, MedicAlert is here to support you every step of the way. For those managing diabetes, a MedicAlert ID provides peace of mind, ensuring that crucial health information is readily available in case of an emergency. Whether you’re walking to work or taking a break during the day, your MedicAlert ID helps keep you safe, allowing first responders and healthcare professionals to access vital health information when it matters most.

Walking is a simple, effective way to improve your health, and with a MedicAlert ID, you can walk with confidence, knowing you’re protected. So, step into spring, put your health first, and join the walking class this Friday on Walk to Work Day.

How MedicAlert Can Support Your Diabetes Management

MedicAlert helps people manage diabetes by providing a crucial layer of safety and support, especially in emergencies.

1. Emergency Information Accessibility

MedicAlert QR IDs carry essential medical information, including details about your diabetes, such as whether you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, insulin use, and any other relevant health conditions. In an emergency, first responders and healthcare professionals can instantly access this information, ensuring you receive the appropriate care.

2. Hypoglycemia Alerts

For individuals with diabetes, especially those using insulin, the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a serious concern. A MedicAlert ID can include alerts about this risk, helping medical personnel quickly identify and treat hypoglycemia, which can prevent severe complications like seizures or loss of consciousness.

3. Medication Details

MedicAlert IDs can list the medications you’re taking, such as insulin, oral diabetes medications, or other drugs related to managing diabetes and its complications. This information helps healthcare providers avoid dangerous drug interactions and ensure that any treatment given is safe and effective.

4. Support in Unfamiliar Environments

Whether you’re traveling, at work, or out in the community, your MedicAlert ID ensures that your critical health information is available wherever you go. This is particularly important if you’re in a situation where you can’t communicate effectively or are in an area where people are unfamiliar with your health history.

5. Peace of Mind

Living with diabetes requires constant management and vigilance. Having a MedicAlert ID provides peace of mind, knowing that your health information is always accessible in case of an emergency. This can reduce anxiety and help you focus on living a full, active life.

?Contact us on 1800 88 22 22 or visit medicalert.org.au to find out more now.