Did you know that next week is the Ramblers' Festival of Winter Walks? Now walking is not only great for the mind and helping you meet new people, it's amazing for your body and health too!
Next week is something I can thoroughly get behind as I'm constantly persuading my patients to get their walking boots on and increase their steps as much as possible. Take a look at the Ramblers website to see if there is a group walk near you.
There are so many health benefits from walking, including:
- Strengthening the muscles in your legs to support your joints.
- Cardiovascular fitness- great for your circulation and heart health!
- Gentle movement helps ease joint stiffness and improve joint health.
- It gets the happy hormones flowing!
If you're new to walking longer distances outside, then the key is to start with short routes and gradually build up. This will allow you to build up your muscle strength, increase your stamina and wear in your shoes!
Walking with other people can make it more enjoyable and you may also discover places you wouldn't have otherwise. Why not take some binoculars to enjoy the wildlife in the countryside?
There aren't many risks from taking walking up as a hobby, but there is some advice I'd like to give you. Regarding footwear, you want comfortable shoes with a good sole and strong ankle support. If your shoes are new, gradually increase the distance you walk each time to wear them in properly. A nasty blister will put you off walking for a few weeks, I can tell you that! But it may also cause you to walk differently or with a limp, which can then put strain on other parts of your body and cause problems such as low back or hip pain.
A little more advice...
- Wear plenty of layers, including hat and scarf, so you keep yourself warm.
- Take a rucksack to store any extra layers, healthy snack and some water. Wear the rucksack equally on both shoulders and pack heaviest items at the bottom.
- Prepare for all weathers! Take a light mac just in case you get caught in a rain shower.
So why not head out this week for a nice walk? By following this advice it should make it more enjoyable and even more beneficial to your health! Let me know how you get on in the comments below!
Zoë Clark is a registered osteopath trained at the British College of Osteopathic Medicine in London.Practicing in Howe, near Norwich (01508 558373) and Burston, near Diss, Norfolk (07543 557746).
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