It’s been said for aeons that a short walk is good for ‘clearing the mind’. Studies show that short walks around the neighbourhood have even more to offer than shaking away the cobwebs and fatigue.
Short walks can have significant health benefits and positively impact overall well-being. Physical activity contributes to improved blood circulation, higher heart rates and taking in more oxygen, all of which are important to improve your immune system and fight of viruses and fungi.
Walking also boosts your energy levels and enhances your mood by triggering the release of endorphins, which are natural mood elevators. It can also help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression and improve your overall mental health.
Recent studies have also shown that walking in your local community enhances social connectedness — if you engage in social interaction.
An increase in the number of people walking also encourages local councils to create more “active travel’ hotspots which not only makes your local neighbourhood safer for pedestrians but enhances the aesthetics of the community.
We recently wrote about a study that showed how neighbourhood walks empower children. In this article, we have listed a bunch of benefits and reasons why adults should make walking in the neighbourhood a routine as well.
Explore New Routes
Seek out new paths, trails, or neighbourhoods in your local area that you haven’t explored before. Visiting new places can make your walks more interesting, and adventurous and the chance to discover shops that appeal to your taste or a bar, coffee shop or restaurant that could become your favourite hangout.
Add Variety
Vary your walking routes to keep things fresh. Consider walking through parks, nature reserves, urban areas, waterfronts, or historical sites. Each location offers unique scenery and experiences, and spending more time in nature is shown to have significant health benefits.
Organise Walking Groups
Invite friends, family, or neighbours to join you for group walks. Walking with others can make the experience more enjoyable and provide social interaction. Good company is also good for your emotional well-being and, if necessary, to help you overcome a problem that gives you more peace of mind.
Create Walking Challenges
Set walking challenges for yourself, such as walking a certain number of steps or miles each week. Use a fitness tracker or app to track your progress and achieve your goals.
Photowalks
Bring your camera or smartphone and turn your walks into photo walks. Capture interesting sights, wildlife, architecture, or beautiful landscapes along the way.
Walking Tours
Research and create your own walking tours that focus on local history, architecture, or art. Use guidebooks, online resources, or apps to learn about the significant landmarks and stories of your area.
Geocaching
Join the geocaching community and use GPS coordinates to search for hidden caches in your area. Geocaching adds an exciting treasure hunt element to your walks.
Public Art and Murals
If you’re the creative type and enjoy art and music, look for public art installations, murals and live music events on your doorstep. Take a walk to admire the creative works and explore different parts of your neighbourhood.
Street Markets and Festivals
Visit local street markets, farmer’s markets, or attend community festivals. These events often create a vibrant atmosphere and introduce you to local culture and products.
Seasonal Walks
Embrace the changing seasons and plan walks that showcase the beauty of each season. Observe spring blossoms, autumn foliage, or winter landscapes.
Nature Walks
If you have natural areas nearby, such as forests, beaches, or lakes, take advantage of nature walks. Connect with the natural environment and enjoy the tranquillity it offers. Even a walk in a city park helps you to connect with nature.
Audio or Podcast Walks
Listen to audiobooks or podcasts while you walk. This can make the experience more enjoyable and educational.
Walking Journal
As we mentioned last week in a blog post last week, keeping a walking journal and writing about your experiences, discoveries, and reflections during your walks can help you to reduce stress and anxiety and reach moments of self-realisation.
