Walking

82% of Leicestershire is classed as rural! This means we are fortunate to have some beautiful countryside and parks right on our doorstep. From Bradgate Park to Bosworth Battlefield, Sence Valley to Welland Park, there are many places to explore on foot. Over time, even a 10 minute brisk walk can have huge health benefits.

Spring can be a fantastic season to explore our Leicestershire countryside, parks and open spaces by foot. Why? See below!

5 benefits of walking in spring:

1. Boosts mental health - Walking can have a positive effect on depression, bad mood, and anxiety problems. For example, walking helps distract you from negative thoughts and focus your attention on your surroundings. Moreover, walking can promote the production of endorphins in your body. Even a ten-minute brisk walk can work wonders for your mood.
2. Beautiful scenery - For a lot of people, the unmistakable daffodils, blossom, and unfurling flowers make it their favourite time of year to go for a health-boosting walk.
3. Vitamin D – Since sunlight is important for the production of vitamin D in our bodies, some people may experience a vitamin D deficiency during or after a dark winter. This can cause feelings of lethargy and fatigue, among other things. Now that the sun is shining longer in the spring, it's wise to go for a walk in daylight. Even on cloudy spring days, you can get a significant boost from this.
4. Boosts immunity – Walking outside in spring can wake up your immune system and decrease inflammation.
5. Explore new areas - The vast majority of our Walk Together groups walk all year round and explore different trails. Whether you prefer to walk in a group or self-guided, there's plenty to visit and see in Leicestershire!

With National Walking Month in fast approaching in May, we thought it would be great to showcase some of our fabulous Walk Leaders to motivate you to get walking!

The thing that motivates to walk is the feeling of freedom. I love just chucking my essentials (coffee, map, raincoat and plasters) in a bag and heading out. I love unexpectedly seeing a muntjac deer or a beautiful rainbow, I always find something on a walk and love exploring.

My advice to someone just starting out is to find a friendly group or a friend and walk a distance you feel comfortable with. When I first started it was a ten minute walk (that took far longer because of health issues) to the canal. It was just so lovely to be by the water and started me off on walking every day and regaining my health step by step. So chose a small comfortable distance, be with someone or people you feel safe with and go somewhere you would like to go.

I absolutely love being a walk leader, sharing my favourite walks and watching people fall in love with a new and accessible places, seeing the group warmly welcome new people and supporting each other and watching everyone explore and enjoy all of our wonderful spaces (green and urban) in Leicester and Leicestershire. Walking is so therapeutic in so many ways to me and to everyone that joins. It's just a wonderful thing to be part of.

I've always enjoyed walking, especially when life is 'life ing' .

I feel I walk my worries away. The benefits are so sneaky as you don't realise your mood and your health are improving but they are.

Joining a women's walking group helps motivate me and so do the friendships that you'll make along the way...Walking gives me energy...

When I get walking I love to listen to the birds sing and see the seasons change. Along the way I imagine what I can see in the trees or clouds, just letting my imagination runaway. More importantly jumping in muddy puddles on the way home even at 50. For me the walk stops my mind overthinking, calms my anxiety, lifts my spirits, and most of all reminds me SELF MATTERS. If we don't look after ourselves how can we support others.

Walking comes in all shapes and sizes so it really doesn't matter who you are or how fit you feel.

Walking alone, looking and listening fills my head with nature and helps me relax.

Walking with friends is always fun, great to catch up and the miles can pass quickly.

Walking with the wild women's walk leaders has allowed me to walk in new places I've never been, places I didn't know were so special and meet new people along the way.

Sometimes I walk for head space and sometimes I walk quicker for exercise but I always enjoy being outside in the fresh air (come rain or shine, dark or light).

I enjoy being outside and it always makes me feel better.

If you're unsure about getting started, just try one walk, a short loop. After this you can build it up if you want to.

Walking has allowed me to get outside and meet other mums which I really enjoy. It gives us a chance to share our experiences of motherhood 😊

If Ordnance Survey maps aren't for you, why not explore the wealth of new walking apps that exist.

From walk mapping to interactive adventures, whether you're exploring new parts of your local area or venturing further afield to achieve your daily step count, we've rounded up some of the best apps to map and guide you and your family on your way!

Explore different areas of Leicester and discover the variety of places to walk in the city. Short group walks of up to 90 minutes, including some informative themed walks.
Walk enquiries (Mon-Fri, office hours): 0116 373 7589, choosehowyoumove@leicester.gov.uk

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If you're unsure about your ability, it might be wise to start gradually and build up. Please feel free to refer to the UK Chief Medical Officer's Physical Activity Guidelines when determining the level of activity appropriate to you.

Make sure you warm up and cool down to prevent injury, and make sure you keep hydrated.

Stop the exercises immediately if you feel faint or unwell, and if you still feel dizzy or unwell have a rest. Next time try something less strenuous, building up your activity gradually.