With it being #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek and National Walking Month, we’d like to share the thoughts of a client from one of our partners to highlight the many benefits of getting out for a walk and connecting with nature.
Chris has been seeing Hollie, one of the Living Well mentors at the May Logan Centre in Bootle, and had been coping with restrictions and a national lockdown. This did not deter him from keeping active though.
Here is what he says.
“My name is Chris and I am approaching my 78th birthday. I survived 12 months of lockdown by adjusting my hobby of fell walking to fit current circumstances. Each day I walked for two to three hours. This allowed me to leave my flat and thus relieve the boredom of a total lockdown.
“I recorded routes taken each day on my phone and the miles covered. I can say that on the first 12 months of lockdown l walked 2,561 miles. The effect of this is that I shed 30 lbs. The result was good news and bad news.
“BAD NEWS. Wore out 3 pairs of trainers and 1 pair of feet. My clothes no longer fit especially round the waist
“GOOD NEWS. The meds l take to control my blood pressure have been substantially reduced. My blood glucose readings are now normal. I have a general feel-good feeling. I don’t have to watch daytime television.”
Chris would like to encourage others to think about walking more and says: “I can recommend walking as a form of exercise. Start with short walks and gradually increase the distance. Plenty of places to go – Crosby beach, Rimrose Country Park, Leeds Liverpool canal.”
And he has these top tips for when you do venture outside: “Always look at the weather forecast and if you walk the beach, check the tides online.”
Our Living Well Sefton partners have different activities and groups to improve your wellbeing, including gardening groups at Brighter Living Partnership based at Southport Community Centre’s garden, as well as the Feelgood Factory in partnership with Netherton Community Garden.
There are also walking groups at the Feelgood Factory and May Logan is celebrating 10 years of its Walk and Talk group by inviting people to join in every Thursday at 10am as a way of improving your mental health while burning some calories and making new friends in the process.
For details of these groups, call us on 0300 323 0181.
While you enjoy #WalkThisMay, why not take a photograph of something that makes you smile and share it on social media using #SeftonInMind
There are lots of places and hidden gems that uplift us, so let’s #TreasureSefton
Living Well Sefton 