Walking away your Worries with Woodland Walks

Our Media Volunteer Tracey shares how to walk away your worries with woodland walks in her latest blog.

When the pressure becomes too much it is time to escape, stop and go for a walk even if you don’t feel like it. Head for the woods, once you’ve been walking for five to ten minutes your energy will pick up and you will start to enjoy the walk.

Some tips before you set off for your walk…

Important tip, before you set off ensure you are wearing comfortable clothes and footwear so that you will enjoy your walk. Also, take some water, a bite to eat just in case you decide to walk a little further.

If your walking alone make sure someone else knows or even better go along with a friend, the family or dog.

Take your phone ensuring it’s fully charged. Switch it onto silent mode so it doesn’t distract you from having a relaxing walk. Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.

Getting back to the walking…..

Once you get to the woods stop and take time to look around. Breath the fresh air, being around the trees increases oxygen uptake which is great for anxiety and stress relief. Breathing in more oxygen helps to open up the circulation, encouraging vasodilation which contributes to reducing high blood pressure, it helps anxiety, depression and concentration… so many benefits to be outside among the trees.

Being outside in the daylight is an excellent way to boost your vitamin D levels. Vitamin D is great for low moods, increasing calcium absorption supporting bone health. Vitamin D also helps to support the immune system. More reasons to be outside.

Embracing the sensory experience, the smells of the woodland. The sounds of the woodland the birds, the bees and many other wonderful creatures including squirrels. Watching nature can bring joy and laughter, the antics of a squirrel for example playing in the trees.

Listen to the many different bird calls especially at dawn and dusk. The variety of colours offer a visually stimulating experience, which can help to promote relaxation.

Take time to look at flowers and the trees, if you encounter plants your not familiar with research them. Enjoy learning about nature, it will give you something different to focus on. Switch off from the norm and discover what nature has to offer. Embrace nature.

Also please look after the great outdoors when on your woodland walks, please be mindful when disposing of litter take it home and remember to recycle.

You can also watch Tracey’s video on Walks By The Sea here.