Building walking into everyday activities like going to school, work or running errands is an easy way to be regularly active.

New resources on the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit's website aim to help people put walking into their lives, as well as to help them create walkable communities.

"People lead busy lives and we often hear that they just don't have time for physical activity. By making walking a part of their everyday life - by walking to school, to work or the store - they can get the activity they need for good health," says Erika Haney, a public health nurse with the Health Unit's chronic disease prevention - healthy lifestyle team.

"Our website has some great ways for people to build walking into their days, as well as ways to make their communities walkable, communities where walking to everyday activities is made easy."

In Canada, more than half of vehicle trips are less than five kilometers, ideal distances for walking.

Not only is walking good for the environment, an active lifestyle reduces the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.

Haney notes that in 2005, only 46 per cent of Simcoe Muskoka residents over the age of 12 years reported being physically active for more than 15 minutes everyday, while another 41 per cent reported that they were inactive. She believes that the website is a tool to help people get beyond some of the barriers to walking to everyday activities.

"The website gives people ideas for making walking for daily activities happen - like creating a Walking School Bus," says Haney. "The website is also a place where people can learn about walkable communities, where walking is a primary mode of transportation and how to advocate for change."

A walkable community both encourages and makes it easier for people to walk to their everyday activities and use their cars less. Walkable communities are connected to destinations by sidewalks, trails and paths and are characterized by their proximity and access to amenities such as schools and stores; by aesthetics, where walking routes are attractive and there are benches and rest areas; and by safety.

SMDHU is working in partnership with the Central West Ontario Regional Heart Health Projects, to improve health by supporting walkable communities.