Walking blog to help boost mental health during lockdown

Keen to capitalise on the positive mental health impacts of enjoying a stroll Dr Chris Blackmore, a senior teacher and researcher and Sheffield University, has launched a walking blog to encourage everyone to put their best foot forward.

The new wellbeing walks blog is filled with details of local walks including routes, distance and their suitability for families and those with mobility issues.

Dr Blackmore a Senior University Teacher at the School of Health and Related Research said: “We’ve all got our top three or five walks that we do tend to do over and over again but it’s good to visit places we have never been to and share our favourite walks with others. We wanted an easy way to build up a photo album or scrapbook of walks online for everyone to access and a blog seemed the best way of doing that.

"The idea is people can contribute and access details about accessibility, find out about facilities on different walks, the idea is it’s not just for mountaineers it’s for anyone who wants to walk, including families with young children.”

Dr Blackmore, who has been embracing walking during lockdown with his wife Rosy, children Martha, 10 and Thomas, aged seven and his puppy Peggy knows all too well the positive impact it can have on mental health.

He said: “There’s a massive amount of scientific evidence showing the physical and mental health benefits of walking and the benefits of engaging with nature.

"We are not trying to say going for a walk is going to take all your worries away but we do know it moves things in the right direction.

"Getting out and about even for a 10 minute walk to break up your day whilst working from home can really lift your spirits.

“As well as being a useful tool for people wanting to access different walks around Sheffield we wanted the blog to also focus on wellbeing and to open the conversation up surrounding mental health and demonstrate the vital role walking can play in keeping yourself well mentally as well as physical.”

There are a range of walks on the blogs suitable for all different fitness levels and those who access the routes are reminded to follow current lockdown guidelines only walking with people they are permitted to meet with and not to travel unnecessarily to undertake one of the walks until government restrictions ease.

Dr Blackmore added: “It’s important for people to realise they don't have to jump straight into doing a long hike there are lots of benefits to taking regular short walks.

"When out and about walking it’s not just about walking with your head down it’s about taking in things around you, perhaps walking through the city and noticing a building you haven’t seen before or seeing wildlife.

"The key is it doesn't have to be a huge expedition. You can start small and build it up, repetition is important if you can build it into your day to day activities.”

To find out more v isit https://scharr.dept.shef.ac.uk/scharr-wellbeing-walks/page/2/