It’s National Walking Month, an excellent campaign to get out to all the lovely locations in and around Plymouth. Now that the sun shines, there’s never been a better time!

Shawnie Lea, Health Improvement Advisor, part of Wellbeing at Work and Wellbeing Champions, has been getting out a lot lately not only to just walk her dog but to also take in the beautiful views, improving her physical health as well as her mental health! Here’s what she says about National Walking Month!…

I love walking. I think it’s a brilliant way to get out and about. The fact that Plymouth is so well connected with plenty of great places to explore and have easy access to, it is easier than ever. Also, I enjoy walking because it is free, can be done anywhere, and doesn’t require any equipment or specific clothing! A lot of exercises that need specific things can put people off, but with walking it is as simple as getting out your front door and having a walk or catching a bus to an enjoyable location or arranging a group walk with your colleagues at the office as a team meeting instead. It also helps with cardiovascular fitness, strengthens your bones and muscles, improves your endurance, and helps you maintain a healthy lifestyle! To me, that’s a no-brainer!

Since hybrid working, I have realized that getting out on walks has become crucial, not only for my physical health, to move around and step away from the screen but more importantly for my mental health. Having a late morning break to walk outside in the sunshine, getting fresh air and walking at a steady pace, makes me feel so energised and productive for my workload in the afternoon and reduces any stress I may have felt earlier that day – I’m not a great morning person so boosting my energy with a steady walk helps a lot! I also found that it boosts my creativity when I return to the screen. It helps me see things clearer after a walk outside.

I’ve also recently taken up walking after work too, as a way to give myself a debrief on how my day has gone. I think about the positives and I ‘put the day away’ as such so I am not thinking about work in the evening. I have found this has been particularly helpful in de-stressing and relaxing, as working from home sometimes feels like you can’t get away from work, but it’s all about putting healthy boundaries in place and a routine to help you feel like your work life is separate from your home life! So, having these evening walks has felt like commuting home – just like I would do if I was in the office! Talking about the office, I still come in weekly, mostly to connect with the team. I really enjoy the walk to and from Mount Gould via Freedom Fields. It’s a lovely park to walk through! I recommend always going through the scenic route on your commute, even if it adds a few more minutes to your walk. You start the day positively, and we’re all lucky to live in a city that still has greenery and great parks.

For the last 7 months I have also had a puppy. He’s now 9 months and so taking him out on regular walks each day has also become a necessity for him (weather permitting). If anyone is a Dachshund owner, you will know the pain of walking a sausage dog in the rain – they just don’t want to do it! However, with the weather being so pleasant recently we have done some excellent walks, which I have enjoyed, and Hugo has as well – considering he has such stubby legs, we are still getting in our 10,000 steps whenever we can!

Here are some photos of Shawnie Wellbeing Walks with her dog, walking at Wembury Point, Caan Woods and Mount Wise with many more to come!

It’s inspiring to see what the Wellbeing at Work Team does for their own wellbeing! With that, please share with us what activities you do within your team for wellbeing. We’d love to share!