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Walking for Wellbeing: A Simple Step to a Better You

Life can often feel overwhelming. Decisions pile up, thoughts become tangled, and even small tasks can seem unachievable. In moments like these, a clear plan might seem out of reach. But sometimes, the simplest solutions are the most effective—like taking a walk.


Walking isn’t just about physical movement; it’s a natural way to untangle your mind and reset your mood. According to the Department for Health, ‘walking for at least 30 minutes a day, most days of the week, can significantly improve your overall health’. Sound too much to start with? Don’t worry, a brisk 10-minute walk every day can still do wonders for your physical and mental well-being. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, those “feel-good” chemicals that boost your mood. A better mood leads to clearer thinking, more energy, and an overall sense of calm. It’s like a mental reset button that helps you manage life’s challenges more effectively.


So how about me? What's my story and why am I writing this blog? What gives me the right to try and encourage you to walk more? Let me try to be open and honest with you


I was a very active kid, played sports, rode my bike, and spent a lot of time outdoors. Some would say a typical 80’s childhood. This adventurous, active side of me led to joining the Army Cadets and then onto leaving school at 16 and joining the British Army. Now, in my time serving in the forces, I feel I experienced a lot, it was full on and included operational tours. Soldiering was exactly what I needed and exactly why I joined, the adventure, the travel, the lifestyle.


It wasn’t until I left the Army that things changed, I felt different, I didn’t belong anywhere, I struggled to find my place, to find my way, to find employment, all of which resulted in me losing myself and falling into depression. The hardest thing for me to do was get dressed and leave the house, and some days I did neither.

But the days I did, I walked down to the job centre, which at the time was about a mile away from where I was living. When I did push through my own anxiety and barriers to leaving the house, and walk down to the job centre, after a few weeks of doing this a couple of times a week, I started to notice that when I got there, I felt better, more relaxed, and also, when I walked home, I would feel I’d achieved something that day, which would result in feeling better about myself. This, in turn, would help increase my motivation which would then lead to me doing other things once I got home, such as housework, cooking, or gardening.


So without realising it at the time, I was improving my own ‘wellbeing’. The knock on effect was transformational for me at the time. The cleaner house, the tidier garden, eating more healthy food, and the frequent walks to the job centre resulted in me staying out for longer walks. I started to carry a small backpack and packed some food and water, and would just walk anywhere. During these walks I would often find a park bench or somewhere nice to eat my sandwiches. It was during these walks that I started to feel better, my mood improved, some of my worries melted away for a short while and this helped me think more clearly, and rebuild my resilience. It all helped me cope more with the readjustment to my life away from the military, and improved my mood enough to plan and formulate my next steps with the things that were worrying me at the time (money worries, finding a job, my mental health, my isolation, finding my place again).


In the Army, we walked everywhere, we needed to be fit and have a lot of mental resilience and it wasn’t until a few years later that I realised that the lack of routine exercise in my life also resulted in my mood becoming low and my resilience dropping considerably. 


Now, I am not saying this is the only solution but walking improved my motivation and built my resilience again, which helped me face my worries and think more clearly to be able to do something about them. Small changes can sometimes help with the bigger things, or would that be, if you start to look after your wellbeing more, the big things don’t seem as big anymore? 


One of the greatest obstacles to starting a new habit is our own resistance. When it’s dark, cold, or rainy, stepping outside may feel like the last thing you want to do. But pushing past that initial reluctance can strengthen our resilience. Resilience is what helps us keep going when things get tough, and every small effort to get outside builds that inner strength.




Life is unpredictable. Challenges come without warning, often when we least expect them. The more resilient we are, the better equipped we are to handle, what can be, often difficult situations in our day to day lives. Walking, even for 10 minutes each day, will help build resilience. So, when life knocks you down, you’ll be better prepared to stand back up and keep moving forward.


The beauty of walking is that it doesn’t require a gym membership or fancy equipment. Just check the weather, put on some comfortable shoes, grab a jacket if needed, and head out the door. The outdoors is free and always available, offering a simple way to give yourself a much-needed break from life’s pressures. I have acquired some of my clothing or walking shoes from local charity shops or Vinted, so there is no need to buy brand new. No one likes getting their brand new kit filthy too, so second hand stuff is perfect for beginning your walking journey. 


Make it enjoyable: walk with a friend or start a walking group, listen to your favourite music, audio book, podcast, or simply let the sounds of nature fill your senses. The more you walk, the more it becomes a habit—something you’ll eventually do without even thinking. And who knows? You might start exploring more outdoor spaces and walks in your area, and eventually travel further afield and enjoy longer walks in places like the Yorkshire Moors or the Yorkshire Dales. 


Climbing the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest, always starts with small steps, so why not begin with your own small steps in your local area, you don’t have to climb a mountain or walk for miles and miles to begin with, just 10 - 20 minutes, three times a week, will help you climb life's challenges and improve your health and wellbeing. 

Walking is more than just exercise; it’s a step toward a healthier, happier, and more resilient you.


So, lace up your walking shoes, trainers or boots, take a deep breath, and embrace the power of a walk. 



Your mind, body, and soul will thank you for it.




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maylilian
maylilian
Jan 28

this is great, very inspirational, and great writing!!

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