It’s National Walking Month
The nights are getting lighter and the weather is getting brighter, Summer is fast approaching! As May is National Walking Month, we’ve been making an effort to get into nature and walk more. Getting out and walking for even ten minutes a day has lots of physical and mental health benefits.
Benefits of Walking Regularly
Improved mood
Decreased stress and anxiety
Improved sleep
Increased energy
Improved confidence and self-esteem
Connections to local community
Help you feel more connected to nature
Staying Motivated this National Walking Month
Make it a Habit
One way to walk more is by incorporating walking into your daily routine and making it a habit. Is it possible to walk part of your commute to work/school/college or walk to the shops? Meeting a friend or family member for a walk on a regular basis may also help to keep you motivated.
Listen to Music
It’s great that walking opens up more social activity but heading out with a pair of headphones is always handy. Listening to music or a podcast is a great way to pass the time and keep social interactions minimal if you’re not feeling up to them.
Join a Walking Group
There’s likely to be a walking group in your local area if the social side is something that you’re interested in. The best way to find out about local walking groups is checking local noticeboards, keep an eye out for adverts in the paper/local magazines/shops and searching Facebook.
Get a Dog
This tip is not recommended by the NHS but it is highly recommended by us. It’s definitely not the cheapest or easiest of methods to keep walking but it is great motivation. Plus you’ll have a lovely little companion to keep you company! If you needed encouragement to get a dog then this is it. Do it.
Leeds Audiology Clinic’s resident pooch. Look at that face. Get a dog.
On a more serious note, there are ways to walk dogs without committing to owning a dog. The RSPCA often asks for dog walking volunteers, you can find more info about that here. There’s also Borrow My Doggy which allows people without a dog to arrange walks, overnight stays and holidays with local dog owners, you can find more about that here. It also may be worth joining local Facebook groups to put you in touch with like-minded people.
If you’ve made it this far, thanks for reading!
We hope you enjoy the rest of National Walking Month and continue walking where you can.
Don’t forget, if you’d like to book an appointment you can contact us here.
Sources:
Step One Charity
NHS
Mind
