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Original poster

Does a walk really make you feel better? I find it bollocks.

92 replies

YardleyX · 26/01/2021 21:30

“Go for a walk....It’ll make you feel better.”

Jesus. If I hear that one more time!!

Up at 5am. Working 40+ hours a week. Home-schooling. Providing nutritious meals and clean clothes. Shopping for relatives. It is never-ending.

But apparently, if I manage to find just ANOTHER half hour in the day to get out for a walk (as well as the extra half hour to cajole DCs into going out and dressing in full winter gear), I will feel better.

Well I can tell you, I have tried it. Several times now. And it doesn’t work.

Biggest lie of the pandemic 😬

OP posts:
YakkityYakYakYak · 26/01/2021 21:53

I enjoyed it for a little while but it just became another thing on the to do list. I force myself a couple of times a week just to get some fresh air and so I don’t become a total agoraphobic.

3JsMa · 26/01/2021 21:53

I love it.
Still do,I am forced to walk as we have dog,never had a car but there is something quite enjoyable.Don't really mind the weather as luckily we are able to dress appropriately although prefer warmer months.However,there is no better feeling than holding hot cuppa after walk in the winter.
My DCs (4&7) don't mind as well,I ask them where they want to go everyday so they feel involved and excited and we always find something interesting or something to laugh about during walks.
My depression will be really bad if I won't go outside thus really grateful for dog and kids to keep me motivated.

MessAllOver · 26/01/2021 21:54

Yes, it really does improve my mood. Unfortunately, life doesn't get much better at the moment than sitting on a log in a quiet corner of our local woods with a sneaky takeaway coffee and a slice of cake (even if I have to share it with my DS). Waterproof trousers so you don't get a wet bottom are the icing on the cake Smile.

But maybe you all have bigger houses than me? So it's not so claustrophobic to stay indoors?

bubblebubblebubbletrouble · 26/01/2021 21:56

Leave the children at home - it's a much better experience. Also warmer with less mud is good too ime

Defenbaker · 26/01/2021 21:57

My daily walk of around 4 miles does help to keep me fit and improves my mood. However, it sounds like your days are very busy already, so I can see why they might not work for you.

Walks are good for people who have time on their hands, and who are not very active during the day. Brisk walks are a good form of moderate exercise, especially if they involve hills, and can lift a person's mood, especially if the sun is shining. Mind you, I didn't enjoy my walk today, in the pouring rain, but I still felt better for doing it, afterwards.

thebabessavedme · 26/01/2021 21:58

If I'm honest then yes, I do feel it does me good but really, I'm soooo fucking sick of walking round the park, I want to walk to the fucking pub and have some fucking lunch with some fucking wine and then some fucking pudding and then I want to stay there for the whole afternoon and fucking laugh and chat with people I dont fucking live with!

Hmm maybe I need some fresh air Grin

duckme · 26/01/2021 21:58

Depends. I think I'd feel better if I went for a walk on my own, dragging a reluctant three year old with me and trying to keep hold on him whilst picking up the dogs shit because I'm trying to kill three birds with one stone, in no way makes me feel better.
I went for an utterly shite walk the other day, three year old wanted me to pick him up before we got to the end of our street and then wet himself when we were about a mile from home. If anyone had said to me that exercise releases endorphins at that point, I'd have hit them in the face with the poo bag.

happydays00 · 26/01/2021 21:59

I came on to say, yes absolutely. Then read about cajoling young children and immediately I'm with you. A peaceful walk, alone, in the fresh air to kill some spare time (that it doesn't sound like you have anyway) yes, fighting to get kids changed, listen to them moan, then no. Eat some biscuits in front of the tv, or drink some wine, have a bath.... if you can steal half an hour alone find something for you that is relaxing!

blackheartsgirl · 26/01/2021 21:59

Walking with young kids is shit
Walking on my own or with my dp with no bloody kids is lovely

Nothing worse than getting whiny, bored, slow walking children out for a walk. You're right it's shit

And I say that as someone who loves walking up a mountain, in the snow or whatever, even rain if I'm pissed off.

MsJaneAusten · 26/01/2021 22:03

Leave the children at home and take an audiobook instead!

I generally love being outside, but at the moment I’m having to force myself to go out for a walk every lunchtime.

StillGoingToWork · 26/01/2021 22:05

I like to cycle, even for a short time raises my spirits.

FuckOffBorisYouTwat · 26/01/2021 22:06

I walk for about an hour to an hour an half each day, more when I can. but I am lucky as my kids are older and I can tell them to bugger off when they are being really annoying. I force them to go out for a walk most days so that is harder than dragging a toddler out! I do quite a lot of my business calls when out on a walk and walk out dogs. I also do family calls too.

CoodleMoodle · 26/01/2021 22:08

I hate walks. I might enjoy them on my own, if the weather was a bit nicer, but... The faff of getting everybody into hats, scarves, coats... ugh.

I have a grumpy 6yo who doesn't want to go, and an even grumpier 2.5yo who NEEDS to go but doesn't want to. The 6yo usually walks nicely once we're out, but the 2yo gets bored very quickly and ends up doing that charming 'doesn't want to walk or be carried or go in the stroller' thing, and it's just crap.

We walked a lot in the Summer and I could put up with it more, but when it's cold and/or raining, I just can't be arsed.

Nopreservatives · 26/01/2021 22:09

A walk absolutely helps me, but I do it on my own, in my lunch break from my job outside the house. It wouldn't help in the circumstances you describe and it certainly doesn't help to have another thing on the list of things you "should" be doing.

Norwayreally · 26/01/2021 22:10

It definitely clears my mind so I’d say it pays off in that sense, doesn’t always make me feel lots better though. I think most people are kinda bored of walking now anyway, it’s all we’ve been permitted to do for months.

Wolfiefan · 26/01/2021 22:11

I love walking.
But with the dogs and not with children I have had to shout at to get into waterproof gear then encourage all the way round as they whine and ruin my bloody walk (obviously other types of children may be available. But young kids? No thanks!!)

Turnedouttoes · 26/01/2021 22:13

I don’t even have any children to persuade out for a walk and I get up much later than 5am but no a walk doesn’t do anything for me. I am sick to death of walking around our local area especially in the dark after I finish work.

However, DP has a portable tennis net which we put up on an out of the way piece of concrete at our local park at the weekend and 30 minutes of hitting a ball between us and I do definitely feel better so maybe it’s about finding the right activity for you.

Sosigsandwich · 26/01/2021 22:14

It makes a huge difference to my husband and I. We're lucky to live in a pretty village so lots of lovely places to walk. Even 20 mins refreshes us.

Ninkanink · 26/01/2021 22:17

You don’t mention if you’re a single parent (or apologies if I’ve missed that) but if not I’d suggest taking that walk by yourself. Even a half hour a day of some time to yourself, some fresh air and the opportunity to be meditative probably would make you feel better. If it’s just another tiring chore to add to the busyness of your day then it’s not going to do much good.

cushioncovers · 26/01/2021 22:18

Walking on my own around my estate no doesn't help. Walking with friends or family along a costal path or in a scenic area is uplifting and makes me feel so much better. Obviously not much help in a lockdown

RightOnTheEdge · 26/01/2021 22:18

You are very busy OP I can totally understand why you don't want to go for a walk. It sounds like putting your feet up and getting some peace would be what you need.

It does help me though because I'm cooped up inside our tiny house with the kids all the time now and it makes me feel sluggish and headachy.
I feel like I'm losing my mind sometimes with no adult conversation and the frustrations of trying to get the kids to do their schoolwork.
A walk blows the cobwebs away and helps clear my foggy brain. It also helps me to see there is still a world out there and life is going on. It can start to feel like our little bubble is all there is left sometimes if I leave it too long to go out.

A walk

notsosmoothie · 26/01/2021 22:19

Up at 5am. Working 40+ hours a week. Home-schooling. Providing nutritious meals and clean clothes. Shopping for relatives. It is never-ending.

Lot of stuff for everyone else there, OP.

I doubt anyone who's telling you to go for a walk is advising it on the basis of you adding yet another task to your list –it's a way of telling you they see how much you're doing and wish you could get some time to and for yourself.

And putting one foot in front of the other is the lowest-investment, quickest way they can think of for you to get out of the house and away from other people's demands.

Sit in the car and have a good yell if it works better for you, or find another alternative, but it does sound like some downtime for yourself is much needed and deserved.

Indiaplain · 26/01/2021 22:19

Yes- everytime! Even if its terrible, icy, windy or whatever I like the joy of coming home again, not sure if that makes sense.

Kottbullar · 26/01/2021 22:20

Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't.
We had a lovely walk in the snow yesterday, the air was cold and felt really clean and the sun was out it was beautiful.
Other days it's crap and I can't wait to get home.

I cannot walk with headphones in on my own, I feel like I'm in a Crimewatch reconstruction or a road safety awareness film.

TheChosenTwo · 26/01/2021 22:22

I love it but take either my teen dd in the evening or walk with a friend (please don’t quote rules at me, I’m not even sure what they are any more but we are in the same work bubble so usually use our lunch break to pound the pavements).
I find it really cathartic to be honest and I do prioritise carving time out with both my teen dds, particularly at the moment when they’re both left alone home learning while we are out at work and they don’t spend any time together if they can help it.
On the whole, for me, it’s a tonic.
Walking anywhere with a moaning ds on the other hand, “why didn’t we just drive? How much longer is it going to be? I’m just so tiiiiiired,” etc etc is rather dull and saps the relaxation element out of it all.