Something for the Weekend? Get Happy!

Walking for everyone, what, why & how to get started

If you haven’t already spotted it, this month has been national walking month and Britain has quite literally been getting on its feet. If you haven’t already given it a go yet, then this is a great time of year to start.

Whether you’re taking up walking to improve your health or simply for the pleasure of exploring your local area on foot, walking makes enjoying the great outdoors easy. Scientists have also discovered that like other forms of exercise walking has a big impact  on our general well-being, something that can be hard to maintain when you’re single

When you walk or exercise your body releases chemicals called endorphins. These endorphins or ‘happy chemicals’ interact with the receptors in your brain,  helping to reduce your perception of any aches and pains you have and trigger a positive feeling in the body, setting off feelings of pleasure and happiness.

Some studies suggest we’re constantly losing our stores of dopamine as we age, so we need to seek out experiences that release it. The best way to increase the brain’s dopamine production is to exercise, walking, running, jumping; any exercise to get happy.

6 other very good reasons to get walking

1. It’s just about the easiest way to add some kind of physical activity to your day, hardly any preparation necessary, other than deciding where you’d like to walk and slipping on your trainers.
2. Anyone can do it. Walking is one activity that can be enjoyed by pretty much almost everyone regardless of your age or fitness level, with more accessible paths now set up for those with limited mobility.
3. Its free! (or as cheap as chips if you decide to join a local Ramblers Club), £3.35 for a one-month subscription to £35.85 a year (£23.00 for concessions). You can go for a quick walk on your lunch break, get off the bus a stop earlier and walk a bit, leave the car at home, use the stairs instead of the lift or join one of the thousands of group walks up and down the country.
4. It’s a great way to meet new people.  Mindful of all the recent conversations on loneliness. not only is it a good way to improve your health and your well being its also a great way to make new friends, –  and have a chat along the way.
5. Want to do more? Then walking can help you get really, really, fit.  As well as easy, leisurely or moderate walking trails, there’s also plenty more difficult walking trails all over the UK; hills with big inclines! or really long, more strenuous walks. Try Nordic walking or race walking if you’re looking for a challenge.
6. It’s great for the soul. There’s no doubt about it that Group walks and getting outside is good for the soul,  Aside from giving you a chance to rid yourself of anything bothering you, its a kind  of problem solving on the go,  scientists It seems, say that walking improves both convergent and divergent thinking, the two types associated with enhanced creativity.

Walking is probably the best single way of promoting both physical and mental health yet to be devised. It’s something that anyone can do and no special equipment is needed.

GET STARTED NOW:  FIND OUT MORE

RAMBLERS
The Ramblers, a not for profit charitable organisation, run hundreds of walks each week – from short urban strolls through to longer walks in the countryside at all stages of ability and  all age groups, all led by volunteers up and down the country who positively welcome new people. They’ve also got a huge online library of almost 2,500 inspiring ‘Ramblers Routes for walkers to follow if you prefer to walk on your own.

NATIONAL PARKS
The UK’s 15  National Parks run free guided walks open to everyone during holiday periods.

WALK4LIFE
Find your nearest walking routes and walking groups through Walk4Life, originally part of the Governments Change4Life campaign that ended in 2012,  its still going.

Been inspired to try walking or already sold and a keen walking enthusiast already? Have you got a favourite walk? Get in touch and pass on your tips and photos. We’d love to see them, warts and all!

PS If you would like to do more walking, how about a really good Walking Holiday in the fresh air to blow those cobwebs away? Check out our HOLDAY SECTION to find out more