According to research many more of us are experiencing symptoms of burnout than ever before. With mental and physical symptoms including tiredness, feeling drained, helpless or defeated and having a negative outlook, it’s no wonder we’re all ready for a holiday.
With jobs and family lives that just don’t stop, it’s easy to see why so for many people getting away from it all means long days lying by a pool doing nothing. But to really make the most of that much longed for time off it’s well worth considering a walking holiday.
We all know that walking is great for burning calories, easing joint pain and strengthening the heart but did you know that the benefits of walking go far beyond that?
Whether it’s a bank holiday scaling the mountains and valleys of Wales or breaking up a Cornwall beach holiday with a gentle walk or two, there are plenty of reasons to pull on your walking boots and get out there.
Walking is great for your physical health
In addition to helping you burn off those breaktime biscuits, covering a good walking distance (30 minutes a day, five days a week) is thought to reduce your risk of coronary heart disease by around 19% . Not only that, but walking has been shown to ease joint pain while improving your energy levels. There’s even the suggestion that a good walk could help to improve immune function and even potentially lower blood sugar .
While many of us are committed to the challenge of covering 10,000 steps a day, using pedometers and smart watches to keep us on track, the NHS suggests that even just ten minutes of walking a day can make a difference to our wellness . Of course, this walk should be brisk – not made up of small journeys to the bathroom and back – and ought to get your heart rate up. But though regular short walks are proven to be good for us, taking longer walks like those you might tackle during a walking holiday are potentially even more beneficial.
Apart from anything else, when you consider that a purposeful one mile walk burns around 100 calories, imagine what a five, eight or ten mile walk across varying terrains and ascents could do to aid that fitness drive.
Walking for mental health
You know that rush you feel after a turn around the park or when walking home fast from work? You’re not imagining it. Not only can taking a walk help to support your body, it can do amazing things for your mind too, with research indicating that a wander can reduce depression and anxiety while helping to pump up self-esteem too .
If a quick stroll from A-to-B can make you feel more cheerful and help blow those worries away, consider what taking a week out of your day-to-day to simply walk away the blues might achieve. Taking a walking holiday is a great way to unwind and recharge, focusing on your health – both physical and mental – while getting away from the causes of stress and worry.
As well as lowering stress, walking can also help to give you clarity. Experts suggest that taking a wander could help to boost creativity and problem solving abilities. How? Stepping out re-energises your brain while reducing the adrenaline that makes it hard to think clearly. This is a useful trick when trying to solve work problems quickly but can also help when you have a larger dilemma to work through. Taking a few days out to walk and think could really force a reset, allowing you to better approach an issue and work through possible solutions with a clear head and focused mind.
Our Festival of Walking returns this year and you can enjoy a month of walks from over 50 hostels, designed to positively impact your health and wellbeing, help you learn new skills and make connections with nature and the outdoors.
How nature helps and heals
The benefits of a walking holiday aren’t limited to the effects of walking itself. In recent years, scientists have come to recognise the many positives of spending time in nature. Known in Japan as shinrin-yoku, or ‘forest bathing’, connecting fully with nature is a fantastic way to add to the already well-recognised health benefits of exercise such as jogging or walking.
Specifically, an Icelandic study from 2018 concluded that when compared to walking on a treadmill while looking at pictures of the natural world, simply sitting outside in nature had a more significant impact on participants’ wellbeing . This in itself is good evidence that there’s no substitute for really connecting with the natural world around us. And what better, and cheaper, way to do that than with a good old fashioned walk?
Studies have also shown that where you choose to connect with the great outdoors can influence the healing impact of time spent in nature . This research says that unpleasant views – think dilapidated buildings or the back side of a retail park – can actually have a negative effect on mental health, only serving to underline the importance of seeking out the perfect place for a meander. With this in mind, a getaway fully dedicated to walking in nature is the very best way to harness the good that our natural surroundings can bring.
Our friends at Ordnance Survey have shared some more reasons why being outside in nature works wonders for our mental wellbeing.
Disconnecting to reconnect
How often do you check your phone? A survey of 2000 people in the UK has shown that many of us are mobile-obsessed, with 18 to 34 year olds sneaking a peek at their screen more often than every ten minutes. Older smartphone users aren’t much better either, with 35 to 44 year olds checking for updates every 21 minutes.
We’re all aware of the negative side of device use, from tech neck and RSI to poor sleep and even higher levels of anxiety, yet much of our lives revolve around those blinking blue screens. It’s not just phones – many of us have jobs that chain us to our computers only to come home and watch hours of streaming TV.
With so much of our lives spent attached to devices it can be easy to forget to fully connect with friends and loved ones away from WhatsApp. Walking is the perfect way to reconnect while you disconnect. It’s difficult to stroll and scroll and, when you’re out there in the Peaks or Lakes, service can often be spotty. This inability to default to doom scrolling not only allows you to soak in the world around you, it also makes it easier to really spend time with the person, people, or pets you’re walking with. Which means more meaningful conversations and memorable shared experiences. And as a bonus? You’re bound to get some great content for the ‘gram.
The best walking holidays for health and wellbeing
So where to go to really enjoy the many benefits of walking? Here at YHA, we’re experts in hosting walkers of all ages and abilities. So whether you’re hiking peaks and fells or taking it easy with some gentle meanders, check out some of our favourite destinations:
The Peak District
Situated in the heart of England, the Peaks are accessible from much of the UK. Offering easy wanders around Ladybower Reservoir or along the Sett Valley Trail as well as tougher hikes such as the Nine Edges Walk or Kinder Scout, this national park has something for everyone. Comfortable hostels like YHA Castleton Losehill Hall and YHA Ravenstor give you somewhere to rest weary feet.
Yorkshire
Both the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales provide a wealth of walking routes. Combining beautiful sights with a variety of trails suitable for all abilities, the Dales is ideal for family holidays. The Moors, meanwhile, blends dramatic scenery with miles of coast. Try YHA Boggle Hole for Moors exploring or YHA Malham for easy access to the best of the Dales.
Pembrokeshire
Combine a beach break with long, often dog friendly walks on the Pembrokeshire Coast. This beautiful bit of Wales is ideal for getting away from it all, providing you with those soul-restoring views you need to recharge rundown batteries. The hostel with access to the best of the area is YHA Manorbier.
South Downs and the Surrey Hills
Easily accessible from London, both the South Downs and the Surrey Hills provide visitors with a stress-free getaway in acres of glorious walking country. YHA Holmbury St. Mary is situated in the heart of the hills while YHA Truleigh Hill is an affordable alternative to the expensive hotels and glamping sites in the South Downs.
Cornwall
Surrounded by the South West Coast Path, Cornwall is a dream getaway for those seeking walks along dramatic cliff tops and long sandy dog friendly beaches. North, west and south coasts are entirely connected by the path, giving you the opportunity to fully explore England’s most famous vacation spot, all the way from YHA Boswinger to YHA Boscastle.
Lake District
There’s nowhere better to truly switch off than the Lake District. With peaks to climb and waterways to discover, the North West’s national park is the ideal place to lose phone signal and connect with nature. Many hostels here, including YHA Black Sail and YHA Helvellyn are designed to help you really get back to basics.
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Credit: Adobe stock – Wifesun, Yossarian6, Max Belchenko, Helen Hotson, Jez Campbell.
