One of my greatest joys is walking.  I love walking alone and above all I absolutely love walking with family and friends.  As a child growing up I would slosh around many miles around the beautiful Dorset and Somerset countryside with my Father.  These were our times together and it was from here that I understood the sheer excellence of walking, no matter my mood, to reset and reinvigorate.

I know about the ‘science’ that encourages good walks – health for heart, mind and bones, but for me it is just the joy and enrichment of being with others that just makes walking so very beneficial.  (I do walk alone but I then use this time to have a good telephone conversation with a friend along the way or to listen to a great podcast).

Walking with people encourages good and enriching conversations – even if the subject matter is trivial and just fun!  I find that it is during a walk that I can open up about things that are difficult and awkward to talk about and I find that those with whom I am walking feel the same. And what is said on a walk stays on the walk!

It is not difficult to understand why walking is so extraordinarily beneficial.  The ‘brain’ is on the move and as the saying goes, emotions are well dealt with through ‘motion’.  We are designed to move. And, good walking necessitates good breathing and the heart will ‘sing’ as it is being used.  Also, walking alongside somebody means that you are not dealing with the intensity that comes from sitting infront of somebody.  Whilst walking, there are the magnificent distractions of Mother Nature too – even if this means feeling the rain on your face or experiencing the sun shine on you.

If you have not enjoyed walking before, do give it a fresh start.  Walking requires a pair of good shoes … that is it!  There might be a ‘walk for life’ group in your area; or what about inviting a friend to accompany?.  Whether it is a gentle stroll around the neighbourhood or something more challenging … please just keep walking (and talking!).