Walking is great for many reasons, whether it’s to enjoy some fresh air and escape for a little while or just to stretch your legs after a long day at the office. To celebrate Sophie’s Woodland Walks collection, which is in collaboration with the National Trust, we’re sharing our seven benefits of woodland walking with you!
Header image credit: ©National Trust Images/Paul Harris
Inspired by Sophie’s love for nature and long woodland walks with her three dogs, her Woodland Walks design features dog walkers and hikers adventuring out on an expedition, exploring everything the great outdoors has to offer. Perfect for country dwellers and dog lovers, the teal blue colourway is excellent for adding a splash of colour throughout the home.
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Fresh air can increase your brain's functionality. There are many health benefits to enjoying some fresh air. Our bodies need oxygen to function on a day-to-day basis, and if you’ve been sitting in a stuffy office or at home all day, then you might be breathing in the same stale air. Did you know that 20% of the oxygen you breathe in, is used by your brain to function? Increasing your fresh air consumption can make you function better, from boosting your concentration levels to gaining more clarity.
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Walking improves physical health. Walking is a great way to maintain a healthy lifestyle. It is a free form of exercise and is often underrated. A brisk walk can help burn calories, make your heart healthier, reduce the risk of chronic illness and also build stamina. According to the NHS, a brisk 10-minute daily walk has many health benefits and counts towards the recommended 150 minutes of weekly exercise. Why not enjoy your brisk walk surrounded by nature and woodland animals?
Image credit: ©National Trust Images/James Dobson
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A woodland walk is a great way to tire out your dog. If you're a dog lover like us, you’ll know your beloved dog love a good ‘walkies’. A woodland walk is a great way to give your dog a much-needed run-around, where they can sniff all the exciting outdoor smells and let out any excess energy. You’ll reap the benefits later when they're fast asleep for the whole evening.
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Walking boosts mental well-being. A brisk walk can help lower stress and anxiety levels. When you walk, you boost endorphins, the feel-good hormone we all love. Surrounding yourself with nature, the great outdoors, and woodlands can help you escape from the reality of daily life, as it gives you a chance to enjoy a moment of calm. Studies have shown that cortisol (the stress hormone) is lower when walking in nature. Regular exercise in parks and woodlands has been found to reduce the risk of poor mental health.
Image credit: ©National Trust Images/Mel Peters
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Walking can improve your sleep. Stepping outdoors and enjoying a daytime walk can help you rest better at night. Walking helps with energy expenditure and can make you feel more tired, therefore more likely to sleep better. Natural light is also proven to help regulate our sleeping pattern, as when the sun begins to set, our brains know to release melatonin, which in turn allows for a restful night.
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Woodland walking can boost creativity. As mentioned previously, walking has a great benefit for our mental well-being and can make us feel calm. This can also allow creativity levels to thrive as we pay more attention to our surroundings. Woodlands are also filled with so much inspiring inspiration, from animals and seasonal colours to textures and smells.
Image credit: ©National Trust Images/Chris Lacey
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It's perfect for little explorers. Finally, the great woodlands offer a fun family day out and is great for kids to explore and adventure out. We’ve teamed up with the National Trust on this 10 things to do on a woodland walk activity sheet, which is perfect for any season and is filled with lots of ideas and inspiration for kids.
Image credit: ©National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra
Do you love woodland walks as much as we do? Let us know about all your adventures and favourite National Trust woodlands in the comments below.
Did you know that through sales generated from our National Trust collections, 10% of net sales, with a minimum of £20,000, will be given to the National Trust for Parks and Woodland conservation? Browse Sophie's Woodland Walks collection which is perfect for bringing a touch of nature and the great outdoors into your home.
