Nevertheless, they persisted…
On the good days, it is her way of getting her creative juices flowing. On her bad days, it’s what she does to simply feel alive. She steps outside and puts one foot in front of the other. Simply walking each day is so essential to her wellbeing, and it’s something that can be so beneficial for you too!
Personally, walking is an essential part of my life, and on days I am stuck inside, my mood is negatively affected. Over the years, I have noticed this to be the case with clients as well, and just getting outside can be life-changing and has been for so many people I work with!
Let’s talk about some of the benefits of walking…
Recovering?
Whether it’s a cold, a bug or the dreaded C, it is the time of year where everyone seems to get something. If you are recovering from something that wiped you out, it is essential that you don’t jump in at the deep end. Starting with low-intensity activity like walking and gradually increasing by 10/15 minutes a day will help you recover.
Skint?
Walking is free and accessible to most people being able to go out on paths, trails, hills, parks, roads and Munros (for those that way inclined). There are not many exercise options that are free of charge with no equipment beyond a pair, so regardless of your income level, this is an option for those physically able.
“I don’t have the time”
There is no magic number, and in my opinion, the goal should always be just to try and do a little more each day. If you travel a lot for work, have care responsibilities, work odd shifts, or even live miles from a gym, walking is something that can be managed around your schedule. Take that time for you, whether it’s a few 10-minute brisk walks a day or a long hour or two out wandering – take the time you can for you!
Want to improve your general health?
A study in the UK found that walking regularly can reduce your risk of developing illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia and some cancers. One brisk 10 minute walk a day can lower your risk of early death by 15%. Need more than that? Walking also aids in digestion, and if you’re looking to lose some weight, NEAT activity such as walking makes up between 15-50% of your daily energy expenditure. If you are looking to lose some body fat, it is recommended that you aim for around 10,000 to 12,500+ a day.
Struggling Mentally?
The beauty of walking for mental health is that you don’t need to attach a time or step count to it. You go out, get your body moving, get some fresh air and walk to clear your head. Movement and giving yourself this time help improve self-perception and self-esteem. You can improve your mood, sleep quality and help reduce stress and anxiety. Physically active people have up to 30% reduced risk of becoming depressed, and activity can help the recovery of depression.
PS… lets quickly explain the idea of 10k steps a day ‘myth’! A Japanese academic invented an early pedometer in 1964 and deducted that if you went from an average of 4000 steps to 10,000 steps a day, then you stand to burn in the region of an extra 500 calories. Ultimately, the idea is that any activity increase will create a deficit, but the reasoning behind it is that doing a little more each day can have a massive impact! BUT if you can’t hit 10k a day, it is not the end of the world. This was just a general advisory that caught on!
If you are interested in getting out a little more, then why not sign up for our Positive Steps Challenge! For £10, you can sign up for January 2022 to a challenge that is designed to get you moving. We aren’t asking you to climb a Munro every day - we just want you to get moving a little more each day! You’ll receive one on one and group support to boot. Oh, and did we mention you could be in with a chance of winning £500 in cash!
