This month, the team at the pub in the village where our UK office is based decided to rally local people and organise a walking group. Annabel went along to discover the benefits of joining in.
Physical and Mental Health
A local walking group is a great way to improve your physical health while enjoying the outdoors. We all know that regular walking can help strengthen the heart, improve fitness, support healthy weight management and increase energy levels. Spending time in nature and taking a break from the usual routine is equally important for our mental health. On this first outing our group walked for around 2.5 hours on undulating terrain across local farmland, and because the conversation kept flowing the time just flew by. We barely noticed the rain which came just at the end of the walk.
Building Friendships
The group had an immediate shared interest in walking and staying active and the relaxed environment meant that conversations could develop naturally. Some in the group were already friends, others had partners who were not walking and some were solo walkers, but everyone was easy to chat to and all sorts of local connections were soon uncovered. Our walk ended in the pub with a convivial drink by the fire, and it rounded off a great morning.
Sharing Motivation
There was a real sense of mutual motivation and encouragement. I have always found it easier to stick to an exercise routine when other people are expecting me to turn up, and so I am far more likely to make this a regular activity. It is the same with tennis, pilates or my fitness class: when I know its a team effort it seems much more enjoyable and less of a chore than exercising alone.
Exploring the local area
I think we all learned something new about our surrounding area. From the history of certain buildings to catching up about new openings in the neighbouring villages, everyone had something to contribute. Lots of people had ideas for other walks nearby, and we shared opinions about everything from local theatre productions to the best pubs in the area.
Free Fun
We are all aware that gym memberships, personal trainers, club fees and so on come with price tags which add up over the year, and can seem expensive if not used to the full. Walking is a totally free activity! With the combination of exercise, friendship, fresh air and exploration, a local walking group can be a simple and enjoyable way to lead a healthier and more connected lifestyle. I thoroughly enjoyed my day and am looking forward to the next outing already.
If you have walked with Hedonistic Hiking before then you will know the enjoyment of a shared endeavour and the sense of bonding that comes with completing a hike together. If you are in training for a Hedonistic Hike in 2027, then why not look out walking groups in your area? This will help to maintain your fitness for the holiday and might spark some new friendships too! If there isn’t one in your area, then why not think about setting one up?