For many people, walking is both a fun and relaxing way to burn calories and get their heart pumping. Even better, you don’t have to work out alone... unless you want to. The fact is, walking with a group comes with added benefits. Walking groups are more popular than ever before. Here are just a few of the reasons why.
They Keep You Going
When you walk with a group, as opposed to by yourself, you better commit to adhering to an established routine. If it’s just you, it’s easy to cancel your weekly walk or hike and no one will be the wiser. But, when a group of friends is involved, they help to keep you motivated. Once your friends and family become part of your walking routine, they typically provide encouragement when it comes to setting and reaching fitness goals.
They Make Things Fun
Walking or hiking consistently becomes tedious for some people. But, walking with a group brings forward the opportunity for new conversation each time you meet, which keeps things fun and engaging. When you chat, laugh and have a good time while you walk, you’ll generally feel much better once you're back home.
Not only that, but walking with friends, family or new acquaintances builds a stronger relationship between everyone who participates. Friends may also have something interesting to contribute to the group, such as a new hiking route or fresh ideas for healthy snacks on-the-go.
They Make You Feel Better
A walking group provides support and entertainment. In addition, routine interaction with friends can help soothe depression or anxiety. Walking (and exercise in general) is already a therapeutic experience.
When you exercise your body releases endorphins, which cause feelings of happiness and excitement. But, when you walk with a group, you also get to experience positive conversations and interactions which can boost your confidence, mood, and self-esteem.
You Get Quality Time
Going on walks with your friends and family strengthens the bond between one another. It’s hard to be involved in each other’s lives when we’re so distracted with our work, school, and technology. Providing an outlet to freely communicate without distractions is an easy way to catch up with what’s going on in each other’s lives, as well as encouraging more conversation in the future.
These walks don't need to be long and time-consuming, by any means. Even walking for 20 to 30 minutes, two or three times a week, is beneficial. It's healthy for your mind, body, and spirit. If you get your children involved at an early age, they'll be much more inclined to incorporate a walking regimen into their daily routine as they get older.
Whether it’s friends, family or people you've recently met, bringing along company when you go for a walk goes a long way toward making your trip more entertaining and therapeutic. If you currently don’t know anyone who's willing to join you, look into local walking groups either online or at your local gym.
Up next, we'll be talking about a few issues you may face when walking and how to avoid them.
Walking is an activity suitable for the whole family. It's not uncommon for older folks and little ones to get involved in the fun. Keep reading to learn more about making the most out of walking as a family activity.
Start Out Small
Your family will probably react more positively to a group exercise plan if you start out small and work your way up to a longer routine. To start out, set a goal that's easy to achieve and forgivable if things don't go as planned. For example, start with a 30-minute walk around your neighborhood, a few times a week. Remember, providing a specific goal increases the likelihood of it becoming a part of your family’s day-to-day routine.
What to Wear
On any hike, it’s crucial to dress appropriately for both the climate and the locale of the area you're visiting. Make sure everyone wears well-fitting hiking shoes or boots that are comfortable as well as durable. In addition, pack a jacket or long-sleeved shirt for everyone, even if the weather is expected to be warm. You never know when conditions might take a turn for the worst.
Keep Things Fun
Aside from the exercise, one of the greatest benefits of hiking with the family is the quality time you get to spend together. Keep everyone in good spirits by coming up with games or activities you can do as a family while you walk. A good example of this might be coming up with a scavenger hunt relating to numerous trees and wildflowers. Honestly, nature trails are full of hands-on opportunities for learning fun.
Take Frequent Breaks
Hiking can take a lot out of you. And, it's a pretty sure bet your kids will let you know when they’re getting tired as well. To remedy this, take rest stops frequently to make sure everyone is full of energy and still having a good time. Don't forget to dole out water and snacks during these breaks, to ensure everyone stays well fed and hydrated.
Establish a Routine
Establish a scheduled time for your family walks. It doesn't matter if it's a nightly lap around the neighborhood or a once-a-month hike through the trails in your local park. When going on a hike becomes routine, it gives the family something to look forward to and sets up a tradition of making memories that just might carry on for years to come.
Leave No Trace
Teach your kids to respect the environment and their surroundings. Destruction of plant life and other things in nature is needless, not to mention harmful. It also ruins the experience for the next family who decides to take the same route you do.
If your child inadvertently does something that could cause permanent damage, such as digging a hole, offer your help to fix it and teach them the importance of leaving no trace.
Why not talk to your family, to gauge everyone's interest in walking as a fun and healthy activity? Try it once and see what happens. Chances are, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the outcome. There really is no better time to "take a hike!"
Before you set off on a walk or hike, consider the surface you'll be walking on. Next time, we'll have some tips for you on this.
