Improving your mental and physical wellbeing is only steps away!

Walking, despite its simplicity as a form of sport, has many benefits. One of the most basic movements we learnt as toddlers is actually very good for body and soul and even the environment.

 “One step at a time is good walking” - Chinese Proverb

Walking is for everyone!

You need not be a hiker or speed-walker to consider walking a valid form of exercise. From a Sunday afternoon stroll to rushing to catch the train, all of it is good for you. You can go as slowly or as quickly as you like – the distance covered is what matters.

Health specialists recommend walking at least 10, 000 steps a day, which is about 5 miles.  If you do this regularly you will benefit from:

Improved cardiovascular fitness

Improved bone density

Weight loss

Low impact on joints

Increased muscle tone

Boosts metabolism

Reduced risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer, osteoporosis and arthritis.

I find that after spending a day indoors, not walking as much as I usually do, I get edgy and bad tempered. As soon as I get back out and into the fresh air again I sleep better, have more energy and am less stressed.

“All truly great thoughts are conceived while walking” - Friedrich Nietzsche

Walking improves your creativity and problem solving ability.

Eureka moments don’t have to happen in the bath! Any repetitive or routine movement allows the logical part of your brain to focus on something specific but undemanding. This frees up the rest for creative thought or problem solving.

I have seen it many times, with the creative people that I know and have studied with, that when frustrated with a problem, the best solution is to go for a walk, clear your head and more often than not you return to find that the solution has been staring you in the face.

“Anywhere is walking distance, if you've got the time.” - Stephen Wright

Walking is one of the easiest forms of exercise to incorporate into your routine.

Make walking part of your routine! I had to walk to do my shopping because I didn’t have a car. Now that I have access to one I still prefer to walk, because walking improves my fitness (even my arms get a little workout on the way home), it’s free and it is more eco-friendly too.

If your routine doesn’t allow much walking, or if you’re looking for more exercise, then there are plenty of nice places to go to on the weekends. If you’re unsure where to find a patch of green to stroll, amble, stride or hike on. Visit www.englishcountrywalks.com, www.enjoyengland.com or www.nationaltrust.org.uk.

If you don’t have family, friends or a dog to drag along, and are looking company then try a local walking club (e.g. www.walkingclub.org.uk) for organised walks.

If you’re an adventurous type, get hold of a local ordinance survey map and go exploring (the green dotted lines are public footpaths).

So get walking! As the Chinese proverb says: “A 1000 mile journey begins with one step.”