Walking for Mental Health: How Walking Boosts Mental Wellbeing

Mental health is something we all need to prioritize, regardless of the season, situation, or individual. While the arrival of spring often brings longer days and brighter skies, it doesn’t always mean we’re feeling our best.

There tends to be a stronger focus on mental health during this time of year, perhaps in part because May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month in the US. It’s a timely reminder that emotional well-being deserves your attention, and that small, intentional steps can make a big difference.

At YorkTest, we believe that understanding your health, both physical and mental, is one of the most important steps you can take. That’s why we offer a range of at-home health tests to help you uncover what’s really going on beneath the surface.

But beyond testing and awareness, it’s important to explore everyday ways to support mental well-being. You may be surprised to know that one of the simplest and most effective tools is walking.

Whether it’s a short stroll during your lunch break or a weekend hike in nature, walking offers a gentle yet powerful way to clear the mind, reduce anxiety, and boost your overall mood. 

In this blog, we’ll explore how walking can support your mental health, the science behind its mood-boosting benefits, and how you can build it into your daily routine, even if life feels busy.

Is Walking Good for Mental Health?

In short, yes, walking is extremely beneficial for your mental health. Many studies have shown that no matter the length of the walk, the frequency of the walk, whether the walk is outside or inside, or the intensity of the walk, it has an overall positive effect on your mental health. 

How Walking Benefits Your Mental Health

But just how does walking benefit your mental health? Well, some of the many benefits include: 

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

Stress and anxiety are among the most unwarranted symptoms of poor mental health. Luckily, walking can help. In general, exercise releases endorphins, and so does walking. This is vital in helping to boost mood and reduce stress. 

Improve Self-Esteem

Suffering from mental health issues can lead to a multitude of self-esteem issues. This can, in turn, make you feel trapped and cornered, feeling as though there is no way out. But physical activity of any kind can result in increased self-esteem. Walking can lead to positive effects such as better physical health, which can improve body image. It can also make you feel better about yourself, thanks to the previously mentioned endorphins, and through the sense of accomplishment and satisfaction of seeing a walk through to completion.

Improves Mental Alertness

For many suffering from mental health issues, it can feel like they are in a constant state of brain fog. While you may think walking would lead to further tiredness, as physical movement and exercise can sometimes feel draining, the exact opposite is true. Even a short, brisk 10-minute walk has been found to boost mental alertness and brain functionality. 

Reduce the Risk of Depression

Many studies have shown regular physical activity, such as walking, can drastically reduce the risk of depression. 

Provides an Important Mental Break

We all feel as though we need a break from time to time, and if you are suffering from mental health issues, the need for escapism can feel even stronger. Walking can provide a valuable avenue for detachment, enabling you to switch off from worries and daily challenges, effectively detoxing from everyday struggles. 

A Stronger Connection To Nature

Being closer to nature can help boost mood. Going on walks and getting out and about is a fantastic way to get more involved with nature. Green spaces and natural surroundings have a calming effect and enhance overall mental wellbeing. 

Improved Cognitive Function

When you walk, you increase blood flow to your brain, which can improve concentration, focus, and overall cognitive function. This will not only make you feel better about yourself but also improve your daily life.

Promoting Better Sleep

It is estimated that between 50% and 80% of people suffering from mental health issues will have trouble sleeping. This leads many individuals to look for ways to sleep better. Walking can help in this regard. Alongside the fact that physical activity can generally make you tired, increasing the likelihood of you falling asleep, walking regularly can increase deep sleep, which allows your brain and body to rest better, making you feel more energised. 

Can Enhance Your Relationship With Your Canine Friend or With Other Animals

Not everyone will own or want to own a dog, but owning a dog can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and walking is a great way to strengthen your relationship with your canine friend. Most dogs love walks, and when they are happier, you are more likely to be happy. On top of this, being out in nature may mean you are more likely to interact with other animals as well. 

What Time Of Day Is Best For A Walk

There has been much debate about the best time of day to go for a walk. Each time of day has its own unique benefits and perks. While some people may be dictated by their personal schedule and the weather during a specific time of the day, depending on when you choose to walk, you may experience some surprising benefits. 

Morning Walk Benefits

Some experts believe that mornings are the best time of the day to go for a walk. For many of us, especially those who suffer from mental health issues, getting up and motivated in the morning can be challenging. Morning walks can help change that. They can help set you up for success and ensure your day gets off to the best possible start. They can also help increase energy, improve focus, and have other health benefits, such as helping to regulate blood pressure. 

Afternoon Walk Benefits 

While afternoon walks can help your mood, they have also been found to help you recharge, break up your work day, and refocus. One of the most notable benefits is a slightly more physical one. Walking in the afternoon, more specifically after eating lunch, can aid digestion and help regulate blood sugar levels. 

Evening Walk Benefits 

Evening walks can be a valuable mood regulator and a great way to unwind. After a long and busy day, many of us turn to things such as alcohol or video games to unwind, but there are many healthier and better alternatives out there, such as walking. 

Walking in the evening can help reduce stress, promote relaxation, aid digestion, and prevent snacking before bed. The caveat with evening walks is safety. If you are going for a walk in the evening, particularly late evening, you must be more mindful of your surroundings. Ensure someone knows where you are going, and make sure you know the surrounding area quite well. 

Regardless of when works best for you and your own specific goals, walking at any time during the day can be very beneficial. 

How Long Should You Walk For? 

Now we have a better understanding of what time is best for a walk, how long should you walk for? 

Depending on your circumstances, such as if you have mobility issues, you may not be able to undertake a lengthy walk, but there are still positives even if you take a very short one. One of the most important things to remember is not to overexert yourself and to do what you can handle. 

A Brisk 10-Minute Walk

Some people are under the impression that a short 10-minute walk will do little in the way of health benefits. However, they would be wrong. A brisk 10-minute walk a day can improve your heart health, one of the most important aspects of your health, and even increase life expectancy. 

Walking 30 Minutes A Day

For many, a 30-minute walk is the perfect middle ground: not too short and not too intense. A brisk 30-minute walk can burn around 200 calories, contributing to weight loss and maintenance. It can also help strengthen bones and muscles and even help manage conditions such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. 

Walking An Hour A Day

If you are able to do so and if you want to take your fitness to the next level, an hour’s walk a day can be a great way to improve your physical and mental health. While it may be challenging to find a spare hour once a day, if you can do so, you will be rewarded in numerous ways. 

Walking for an hour a day will really get the endorphins flowing, boosting your mood and mental well-being. It will help you get in great shape physically. Even walking for an hour at a moderate pace can burn up to 350 calories, meaning it is a fantastic way to manage your weight. Before trying to walk for an hour a day, you should ask yourself if you are in a position to participate in this kind of exercise. 

Walking Longer Than An Hour A Day

If you wish to, and if you really love walking that much, you may opt to walk for longer than an hour a day. Walking for longer than an hour a day can help you achieve your fitness goals in record time and improve your cardiovascular health more comprehensively. The drawback of lengthy walks is that you must listen to your body. Even when you think walking for a longer time is helping your mental health, if your body is struggling, you should reduce your time accordingly. 

It’s important to remember that there is no ‘right amount’ of time to walk for. Any amount of walking can be beneficial, and as long as you are in good physical health, you can walk for as long as you want! 

Walking can really help boost your mental and physical health. At YorkTest, we pride ourselves on helping you lead a more fulfilling and healthy lifestyle. Whether it’s through our industry-leading at-home test kits or keeping you informed through our blog, we want to help you live your best life. 

We specialise in cutting-edge home testing kits. So, if your reaction to your diet is getting you down, please contact us today, and we can help you out.