Brits favour walks in nature over the gym, health survey finds

Walks in nature are more popular than hitting the gym when it comes to looking after our physical and mental health, a survey reveals.

An outdoor stroll was favoured by 30 percent of UK adults, with the same proportion saying they prioritised getting enough sleep.

This compared to only nine percent who favoured weekly runs and eight percent whose top priority was going to the gym.

The survey of 2,000 people, carried out by Mortar Research for Bupa, also found 35 percent felt quality time with loved ones was more important than conventional fitness regimes.

And over a third felt that health was too often portrayed in society as having a one-size-fits-all definition.

READ MORE: ‘I’m a fitness expert – this exercise is a fountain of youth in workout form’

With this in mind, private healthcare firm Bupa partnered with Annie Leibovitz to launch a global campaign celebrating diverse health stories.

The world-renowned photographer captured stunning images of six Paralympic and Para athletes in the countdown to the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Double through-knee amputee Richard Whitehead is among British athletes who feature in the striking campaign.

He won gold in the 2021 and 2016 Paralympic 200m races, and launched his own foundation to harness the power of sport for the benefit of disabled people.

Richard said: “Health is determination. My greatest achievement was accepting my disability… not as a negative, as an opportunity to show people that anything is possible.”

British sprinter Emmanuel Oyinbo-Coker was also photographed with his mother, younger brother and cousin.

He was born with a rare condition called phocomelia, which means he is missing his left forearm, and won gold in the men’s 100m final at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The Paris 2024 hopeful said: “Health is energy… both mentally and physically.” 

Fiona Bosman, brand director for Bupa Group, said the Picture of Health campaign aimed to “start a conversation about what health is, and what it can be”.

She added: “We wanted to start this with a series of dynamic and striking photos that could inspire people to share their own Pictures of Health. 

“Given her fame for capturing the stories of the people she works with, Annie Leibovitz was the perfect photographer to help bring Picture of Health to life and showcase what health means for each inspiring athlete.”