Walking is a useful tool to deal with stress, clear your head and improve your health. But, because most of us walk around every day without thinking about it, the many benefits of walking often get overlooked. It doesn’t matter whether you move fast or slow, if you only have time to walk for half an hour a day or if you have the time to walk for miles. Every step that you take is a step towards improving your physical and mental well being.

What are the benefits of walking?

Walking may be the simplest form of exercise, but it has the potential to significantly transform your health over time. Walking can reduce your risk of deadly diseases and extend your life if you do it daily.

Here are some of the main ways walking can improve your wellbeing:

• Boost your mood
• Distract yourself from negative thoughts
• Improve your overall health and fitness levels
• Gradually strengthen your bones and muscles
• Feel a sense of accomplishment after each walk

Walking is also one of the most convenient activities you can do, as you can walk at any time, anywhere; there’s no need for a gym membership. No matter your schedule, there is always a way to make walking part of your routine.

What can I expect from walking with others?

Walking in a group can extend the benefits of walking even further. Making walking a social activity can have a significant positive impact on your mental wellbeing. Walking and talking gives you a chance to socialise with people who share your interests.

Keeping up the hobby means you can chat to any friends you have made as well as make new ones; you may even meet a group of completely different people each time. Sometimes walking and talking with non-judgemental strangers is the best way to get things off your chest.