I’m a huge advocate of doing anything alone. Going to the cinema alone, going to a coffee shop alone, and going for long walks alone are some of my favourite things to do in my downtime.
Walking alone for pleasure isn’t just for introverts. You can listen to music or a podcast and tune out from the hustle and bustle of the real world for a bit.
It’s also a great way of getting out into nature, especially if you’re working or studying inside all day.
In this article, I’ll be touching on some of the reasons why I love walking alone, as well as dispelling some of the misconceptions about it.
Is walking alone normal?
Walking alone is completely normal. You don’t always need to be with friends or companions when walking. Lots of people go for long solo walks to embrace nature and let off some steam.
Long, solo walks are best
Long solo walks are great because you can focus on yourself. There’s no one else to dictate the pace or the direction – you’re in complete control.
Listening to some music or a podcast whilst walking can be the perfect companion. Likewise, it’s perfectly fine to forget all of that and focus on pure silence or the sounds of nature.
Bring some lunch or snacks along – make a day of it. Sometimes it’s good to escape the hectic nature of work, school or the city with an extended solitary walk.
Solo walking benefits
There are so many mental and physical benefits of walking.
First off, walking helps you to maintain healthy body weight. Consistent walking burns a lot more calories than you think! Since it’s a low-intensity cardio exercise, it’s easy for anyone to get started and see the benefits.
It also helps you to reconnect with nature. With global warming, climate change and other pertinent environmental issues taking hold of the world – it’s key that we make the most of what we have got, whilst also working to preserve it. If you’re tired of the fast-paced nature of modern society or technology, you’re due a trip to the outdoors.
Thirdly, walking alone helps you to be in tune with yourself and your mind. You can take the time to think about whatever you want. You can also think about nothing at all. It can be a self-care exercise if you want it to be.
How to get into walking
If you’re not a big walker, that’s no problem. It’s so easy to get started. You can make small and measurable changes that will ease you into it.
Substituting public transport
If you usually get the bus to work, try substituting all or part of that journey with walking. You could get off one stop earlier than you usually do and walk the rest of the way. Likewise, if you usually get the train, you could try to alight one step sooner and take a stroll for the remaining distance. You might be surprised what sights you see!
Motivation
Sometimes it can be difficult to find the motivation to get up and start walking. It’s so much easier when you have an end goal to walk towards.
Set yourself a step target. Build up and track your steps throughout the day using a pedometer or your phone. Reaching a target will heighten that sense of accomplishment and make the process much more enjoyable.
Explore
You could also aim to go somewhere that you haven’t been before. Having an exciting, unknown destination to reach can be incredibly motivating.
You can discover new landmarks, meet new people and explore new surroundings.
Increase the distance of your destination every time, and you’ll be walking miles for fun before you know it!
Final thoughts
Solo walking can be a great way to reconnect with nature and improve your fitness whilst doing so. Being more confident about doing things on your own is a must for any adult, as it helps you to keep in touch with yourself and your mind.
Now, I’m off for a walk.