What do you think about GP's prescribing you 'a walk'?

[StrawberryMarble]

I just heard this on radio 4, that GP's will be able to prescribe a walk or a bike ride etc. We all know we need to move more & not lead sedentary lives. I don't disagree that we need to get moving & keep our fitness, especially as we get older. But I can see a few people getting upset over this. I think it might be a common prescription with waiting times post covid being so long.

So if getting out for a walk or bike ride will very probably help the situation, is the doctor supposed to prescribe unnecessary drugs instead? Sounds like a good idea to me.

I’m pretty sure GP was able to prescribe 4 week membership at council gym/ pool for mental health/ kick start weight loss. I suppose cutbacks mean it’s now a walk.

They often seem to prescribe a long wait. Maybe if they required marching on the spot while we wait on the phone to get through to make an appointment? We might up the nation’s exercise levels exponentially.

I think if people want evidence-based, highly cost-effective treatment programmes, then buckle up buttercup because this is what it looks like. The evidence base for walking in terms of benefits for both physical and mental health is very solid. With illnesses influenced by lifestyle, which is many, perhaps most now, GPs can really only help those who help themselves.

"But I can take myself for a walk" Okay. Good. If you already have a steady walking routine, you can tell the GP that and the two of you can discuss what next.

My colleague and I both find certain parts of the working year very stressful and we’ve already pencilled in that we should go for regular walks during the particularly tough bits as we know it does wonders for our anxiety and stress levels. Taking a little bit of initiative like that can’t hurt and it’s a proven way to help deal with many issues. I can see how people might feel fobbed off but it’s free, easy and definitely helps so why not suggest it?

It's a good idea for the GP to recommend easy, cheap, achievable exercise. I wouldn't call it 'prescribing' though, unless it's something like funding a gym or pool membership if specific exercise is required that the patient can't do with their own resources.

Trouble is, a lot of people don't have time for a walk/cycle ride these days. Hence the problems/illnesses they have - it's a vicious circle - need to walk/cycle; no time to do so; become ill because of lack of walks/cycle rides; go to GP; get prescribed walk/cycle ride which are unable to do.

Walking can be done with small children yes, but cycling is more difficult. You'd have to put them in a bike seat, but that only works for one child. Two children and you'd need one of those trailers.

Swimming and walking pulled me out of a deep crippling breakdown last year after bejng diagnosed with MS. I was so depressed that the moment I woke up and realised I was still alive and had to love another day, I would vomit.

So yes, prescribe a walk. Because it'll be more effective than taking ADs, sitting on your ass all day watching shite TV in your unwashed pyjamas poking your belly fat.

(Speaking from personal experience)

It’s a great idea. So many people would benefit more from doing some exercise. We are not made to be sedentary.

Live not love**

Although I do love all new days now :)

Getting out for a walk in the fresh air is absolutely the best idea for many people. Patients want a magic bullet quick fix, but that's not always available.

It's not new. Social prescribing has been around for ages now. The problem is that free healthcare has meant that people indulge in risky health behaviours because they feel that the NHS can "fix" things for them.
Getting out for a walk may seem like a cop out to some, but it really does have lots of health benefits.
Where I live, GP and emergency care has to be paid for, or you have to have health insurance. I am more inclined to lose weight and keep myself healthy because I have to pay for consultations. I work in healthcare and I can see the difference in attitudes here.

I effectively got that after being referred to a physio for a hip problem. I was given exercises plus told to swim and cycle. I found it hard to remember all the exercises but swimming and cycling have been really good. I still have a hip problem but it has massively improved it.

I had been given pain relief by my GP but that made me feel very sick and upset my stomach so would far rather exercise and not have to take that.

I didn't hear the piece on Radio 4. interestingly when I clicked on the thread I assumed you meant they would be prescribing it for mental health reasons rather than exercise.

Exercise is good for physical and mental health.

It's very effective for both.

When I was deep in a trauma-related mental health crisis my counsellor gave me the mantra "movement, structure, company, distraction" and it did more for me than any medication could have done.

Cycling swimming and walking has really helped my MS symptoms. Honestly, it's a really good starting point.

So many meds can have horrible side effects. Who would choose that?

I think it's great!

I think it is a good idea - people might engage with the suggestion more if it is a prescription

If you don't have time for a walk which will help your health improve, then your lifestyle is making you ill and you should take steps to change that.

Those steps will be different for different people (and not easy as lifestyle changes aren't) but it seems madness that doctors are expected to medicate people out of bad lifestyle choices.

Couple of our local health centres are enthusiastic participants and volunteers at our local parkrun. They encourage patients to come and join us for both physical and mental health reasons.

I think it’s pretty well known that exercise promotes positive feelings, so you feel great after a bout of exercise. I went to exercise classes and enjoyed the benefits of toning up and feeling good. That’s one of the things that’s had to go, to save money and I miss it. Exercising online just isn’t the same. Walking is good though. It’s free and you can do it on your own or in a group.

@HikingHeidi love your username and congratulations on the improvement in your physical and mental health 🙂

But it doesn't have to be a long/formal walk. Get off the bus a stop earlier. Take the stairs at work instead of the lift. Walk to your corner shop instead of taking the car. Lots of ways to get your "steps" up if you really, really, can't find 20 minutes to walk a mile round trip! Although, I do think the "don't have time" excuse is nothing more than failing to prioritise your own health and that everyone could find time for a couple of 15-20 minute walks if they tried to and prioritised it over having their nails done, or a long hot bath every day, or whatever they do. There'll be very few people who really can't find the time - it's a matter of balancing priorities.

I have a step counter and very rarely do less than 10,000 steps per day. None of that is formal walking. It's just generally being active. Housework alone (walking around the house doing daily chores can be 1,000- 2,000 steps). At work, I'll get up from my desk every time I need to print, copy, scan or file something - I used to pile things up and do lots of those tasks in batches, but now I do it as I go, so I'm constantly up and down, walking across the office, walking to the filing room, etc (that's typically another 2,000-3,000 steps per day). Then just walking part of the daily commute takes a few thousand steps (either walking to/from a further bus stop, or parking in a car park a bit further away). When my DS was at primary school, I'd walk him either there or back every day, and that was just over 2 miles.

The NHS website has said exercise like walking, eating well and getting into good sleep routines can help depression and anxiety for years.

In work I started a walking club for older young people who weren't in work or education and felt depressed and anxious. It worked pretty well and then covid hit and I've never had the time to restart it due to my caseload.

We know exercise can help us but getting up and getting out the house is a huge barrier to some. It's easy to tell someone to get up and go for a walk but the reality can be hard for a lot of people.

Prescribe? How will it work?

GPS have advised exercise for years.