If you follow me on social media then you’ll know that every single day, I take my cocker spaniel Finlay for a walk. Rain or shine, cold, wind and ice, I can be found striding out with my loyal pup at my side. I’m so lucky that I live in the beautiful New Forest. The is an ancient royal hunting forest which is home to semi-wild ponies, pigs, donkeys and cattle. That means I have wonderful dog walks on the doorstep for workdays, and at the weekends my husband and I head further afield for longer walks. That’s because walking heals my soul and I’d be lost without it.
We’re not far from the south coast, so we really do get the best of both worlds – coast and countryside! These longer walks are the ones I need for my mental wellbeing. The walks that take me somewhere different, to see and experience something new. But even when I’m travelling for work or visiting a city, I make time for a walk in the fresh air.
There are so many reasons why a daily walk is good for you. If you’re stuck at a desk or behind a counter at work, a break will clear your head, help you refocus and improve your physical and mental health. Here’s a closer look at why walking out in the fresh air can help heal your soul. Hopefully you’ll understand why, for me, it’s a non-negotiable!
It’s great for your body
I know that not all of you work at a desk like me, but if you do then it’s essential to get up and move. Sitting for long periods can lead to health issues like obesity, heart disease and back problems. Fresh air and movement help to counteract these effects, improving circulation, boosting energy levels, helping you sleep better and enhancing overall physical health. It even helps you digest your food better!
It boosts creativity and productivity
It’s easy to get jaded if you’re sitting in the same room staring at a screen for hours on end. Breaks outdoors and exposure to nature have been shown to boost creativity and even improve our problem-solving abilities. I definitely come up with more creative ideas for content when I’m walking or just enjoying time outside versus when I’m sitting at my desk…I also find my walks provide a mental reset, allowing my brain to relax and rejuvenate which often leads to increased productivity when I head back to my office and get back to work.
The connection to nature boosts your mental health
I love the countryside and nature in general. I love seeing the wildflowers bloom in spring and the leaves change colour in autumn. I love walking through sun-kissed fields of barley waving in the wind. I love it when we catch a glimpse of a deer in the New Forest or see baby ducks in the river. I also absolutely love exploring, finding out where that path goes or following a new route on my Ordnance Survey app. Aside from how content it makes me feel, there’s also plenty of evidence that stepping outside can do wonders for your mental health. It offers a change of scenery, exposure to natural light and a break from the monotony of work. Fresh air and sunlight stimulate the production of serotonin, the “feel-good” hormone, which can improve mood and reduce stress.
Walking really does heal my soul!
As I mentioned earlier, we have an abundance of animals living in the New Forest. That adds an extra element of delight to my walks! In the spring I might find a foal or baby donkey just lying in the middle of the road, its mum standing guard over it and the traffic ever so slowly trying to drive past. Us locals take the unique New Forest lifestyle and rather slow traffic in our stride. You really cannot be in a rush when driving through the forest. At any time of year, you might see a long string of ambling ponies walking through the town centre with not a care in the world. I also frequently see cattle standing knee deep in a pond, cooling off and quenching their thirst.
In the autumn, pigs are let out onto the forest to eat the acorns as they fall from the trees. Acorns are poisonous to the ponies, so this is excellent and natural land management. It’s always a pleasure to turn a corner and see piggies truffling and snuffling in the grass on the village green. You’ll also see people on horseback rounding up the ponies for their annual checks and vaccinations. These roundups are called ‘drifts’ and they’re like a little slice of America’s wild west in the south of England. Being a countryside lover with an agricultural background, I absolutely love seeing sights like this. Walking really heals my soul.
Why not try adding more walks to your routine?
These encounters all add to my mindfulness and happiness and as I say to my hubby, it feeds my soul. So, for me, even if we didn’t have a dog, a weekend walk would still be a non-negotiable necessity. I know how I feel when I don’t get out and about. And walking for me is a necessary activity just as going to the gym is for others.