Walking to improve your health and wellbeing 

Going for a walk gives us the feel-good factor. Even at a gentle pace, walking can help prevent diseases. We’re happier, healthier, and likely to live longer when we spend time in green spaces – it’s proven. And so powerful that GPs are prescribing it. 

Help prevent serious illness in one simple step 

Walking is the ideal physical activity to improve our health, and it doesn’t take a lot to feel the benefits. Regular walking, even at a gentle pace, helps improve heart health and ward off diseases such as: 

• heart disease 

• strokes 

• some forms of cancer 

• diabetes 

• Alzheimer's disease  

• osteoporosis  

And because walking strengthens our muscles and bones, improves our balance, and reduces the risk of falls, it helps protect us against some problems that come with age too. 

 

Boost your mental wellbeing one step at a time 

Open skies. Fresh air. The feeling of freedom. Just some of the joys of walking in the great outdoors. Going for a walk gives us the feel-good factor. And when we walk regularly, the mood-boosting benefits can be life-changing. Getting active significantly reduces our risk of depression and staying active speeds up recovery. Whether we’re striding out with friends or taking a solitary stroll, walking paves the way for: 

• Reduced stress, anxiety, and fatigue 

• Improved sleep quality and mood 

• Better self-esteem  

• Healthier body image 

• More confidence  

Walking in our later years helps improve memory and mental alertness and reduces the risk of dementia too. 

 

A daily walk is enough to reduce your risk of serious disease   

Healthcare experts recommend we get active for at least 150 minutes a week. That means a 25-minute daily walk is enough to reduce our risk of serious diseases by up to 60%. And if we’re pushed for time or just getting started with walking, we can enjoy shorter walks a couple of times a day and still ward off illnesses. 

 

Walking at any pace improves health  

Whatever our pace, walking helps us stay a healthy weight, lower cholesterol, and reduce our blood pressure. Brisk walking goes one step further by boosting our circulation and improving the health of our heart and lungs. So whether we’re walking for health, fitness or weight loss, walking definitely works. 

 

Ready to reap the benefits of walking? 

If you are new to walking, Ramblers Wellbeing Walks make getting started and staying active easier than going it alone. All our short group walks are led by an experienced Ramblers Wellbeing Walk leader along tried-and-tested, easy to reach routes. Because you’ll be walking with others, you’ll feel safe, be supported, and have fun along the way. And everyone stays together, so you don’t need to worry about being left behind. We’re a friendly bunch too, so you’ll get the warmest of welcomes. 

Find your local Ramblers Wellbeing Walk Group