Get out for a lunch time stroll this Spring – why walking is good for your mental health

Why is walking good for your mental health?

 

It feels like it lasted forever – but January is finally over and Spring is on the horizon! 

For many of us, the thought of lighter mornings and brighter evenings approaching is enough to put a spring in our step – which can only be a good thing! 

Walking is good for both our physical and mental wellbeing. Even a short burst of 10 minutes brisk walking is proven to increase our mental alertness, energy and mood. It can increase our self-esteem and reduce stress and anxiety.  

Walking increases blood flow and circulation to the brain and the body which has a positive influence on your central nervous response system, which reduces your stress response.  

With the daylight hours increasing, the opportunity to go for a stroll or brisk walk-in daylight before or after work increases. The benefits of fresh air and daylight on our mental health are also in abundance.  

 

We’ve listed 5 reasons why walking is great for your mental health and wellbeing: 

It improves your mood 

Walking releases endorphins which are one of our happy hormones. Walking allows us to unwind and can have a significant impact on our mood throughout the day. It can reduce stress and anxiety as endorphins are proven not only to boost our mood, but also to lower our stress levels. It can help reduce the risk of depression and spending time in nature has the added benefit of helping calm the mind.    

It boosts your energy  

Walking increases blood flow throughout our body but particularly to our muscles and brain which makes us feel more alive and energised.  

It helps you sleep 

Walking not only increases our energy levels, but it also increases our ability to rest and can help us achieve a deeper, more restful sleep. 

Improves your body confidence  

Walking is free and accessible to everyone, regardless of your physical ability. It doesn’t put too much strain on your body and will provide the same benefits of more intense exercise over time.  

It makes you more sociable  

Getting out for a walk with friends and family is an excellent opportunity to increase your wellbeing – combining physical activity with social activities means ticking two boxes at once. 

Try adding a walk into your daily routine and let us know how it impacts your mood.  

 

At BNSHE, we offer a wide range of Mental Health courses to teach what mental health is and how to challenge stigma. Our courses give you knowledge of some common mental health issues and an introduction to looking after your own mental health. They give you the confidence to support someone in distress and provide you with much more knowledge.  

For more information on our Mental Health courses, and other courses we offer, visit www.bnsheconsultancy.com, call us on 07584125665 or email info@bnshe.co.uk. 

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