Physical activity is not only good for your body, it’s also great for your mind. Exercise releases endorphins in the brain that boost self-esteem, improve concentration and help you sleep better.And being active doesn’t mean you have to run marathons or commit to an expensive gym membership — simply heading outside for a walk can have a huge impact on mental wellbeing. Let's explore ways businesses can encourage employees to get outdoors and work walking for mental health into their everyday routines.Why we need to prioritise walking to improve mental healthThe NHS recommends that adults should do some type of physical activity every day and at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise — which includes brisk walking — every week. However, government figures show that around 1 in 3 (34%) of men and 1 in 2 (42%) of women are not active enough for good health.Walking is an easy and accessible form of exercise that can be completed at any level of physical fitness, costs nothing and can fit in with the most hectic of schedules. It will also help to reduce stress and mental health-related absences.According to the Mental Health Foundation, addressing wellbeing at work increases productivity by around 12% and reduces the risk of burnout, so it makes sense for HR professionals to encourage their staff to get active and start walking for their mental health, particularly if they are working from home.Read our blogs to find out more about the mental health conditions covered by health insurance and the 10 mental health questions every employer should know how to answer.Tips to increase your step countHere are some ideas to help you get your people walking:Walking meetings — Working from home can mean a more sedentary lifestyle, as the commute accounts for a large portion of your daily step count. With back-to-back zoom calls, exercise might be at the back of your mind (at best), but you can combine the two with a walking meeting to get you active whilst chatting to colleagues. The increased blood flow from exercise can help you to focus and inspire some great ideas.Walk together — Walk with your significant other, family member or someone else in your household; line up your schedules to take breaks together, and you’re less likely to ditch it that way! It’s also a way for both of you to spend some quality time together.Get amongst the greenery — Being out in nature has been found to help with anxiety and depression, as well as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). It is also easier to be mindful and more self-aware out in the tranquillity of nature. Combining this good feeling with that of walking can be a real mood booster. What YuLife has foundYuLife is dedicated to helping HR professionals inspire their workforce to live healthier lives. The YuLife employee app rewards your people for going on walks and using mindfulness apps, using a virtual leaderboard to inspire healthy competition amongst work friends.This rewards system encourages daily interaction and rewards your people with YuCoin — the longer they walk for, the more points they earn.The stats say it all; 67% of users agree that they live healthier lifestyles as a result of using YuLife. The average daily step count of a YuLifer is 7,049, over double the UK average of 3,100.So, whether your employees are regular hikers or new to fitness, encouraging them to head outdoors and up their step count can help to ensure they stay mentally fit and reduce the risk of burnout.About YuLifeYuLife is working to reimagine the insurance industry by protecting lives, rewarding living and inspiring life. We’re on a mission to transform traditional insurance into a life-enhancing experience each employee will value and use daily. How does it work?Our award-winning app uses behavioural science and game mechanics to reward your people for living well while offering protection in case of crisis. And with our top-rated employee assistance programme, your team gets access to mental, financial and social support, virtual GPs, nutritionists, life coaches and more to help them live their best lives.Because we believe that your employees should benefit from their insurance from day one — and that wellbeing should be accessible every day, for everyone. Request a demo for your team today.