"Just go for a walk..."

[LittleMissUnreasonable]

Why does this always seem to be one of the big solutions for people who are suffering from poor mental health? Maybe if I lived in Southern Spain having a nice sunny walk would be very pleasant. But the weather being so miserable and grey ends up making me feel worse. The thought of putting on waterproofs to trudge through the grey endless rain, only to end up in a condensation filled cafe that smells of damp coats just doesn't seem very appealing

Agree that ‘just do some exercise’ is sometimes advised as a cure all that will always work, which is too simplistic. It has annoyed me many times.

Walking does often help me though. Doing lots of steps gets my energy levels up.

The UK weather I am definitely less keen on. As I type, I am walking in southern Spain on holiday and I can definitely confirm it’s nicer than cold drizzle. But walking in the cold and wind is still better than not walking at all.

Good luck, OP. x

It’s interesting that the posters who do walk say it helps their mental health, and those that don’t walk claim it wouldn’t help them

Can you swim? Wild swimming has really taken off around here. Many of the women I swim with work part time or are retired and are able to get out during the day.
Solitary walking is something I love, but the open water swimming I do boosts my overall wellbeing in no other way. There is a recognised physical benefit to cold water swimming (nb done sensibly).

I actually find walking in the rain and wind exhilarating.

I get where the OP is coming from in that just walking round the streets seems dull and pointless. I understand completely @LittleMissUnreasonable .

Couple of things which have helped me. Podcasts - there are so many podcasts on every topic imagineable so find something your interested in, stick the earphones in, and listen. The other thing are apps which make walking into a "game" almost. Like World Walking which is my current favourite, it uses your fitbit or step counter within your phone to track your distance and you can then use that distance against a walk in the app - you could walk 1340 miles around the UK's national parks, or walk London to Lisbon, or challenge yourself to do something massive like the southern tip of Africa to the far NE of Asia. All free.

Googled it myself
Why does walking improve your mood?
Increased endorphin levels

Regular walking enhances the natural release of endorphins which stimulate relaxation and improve your mood. These chemicals work by interacting with receptors in your brain to reduce the perceptions of pain and give feelings of wellbeing.
I love walking I see people's pets, gardens, homes, birds.

It’s interesting that the posters who do walk say it helps their mental health, and those that don’t walk claim it wouldn’t help them

^ I'm an avid hiker and paddle boarded. There is nothing more patronising then being told to go for a walk or have a bath in mental health crisis.

It's not an instant cure-all, no; and it's not necessarily easy if you're depressed and can't get moving.
However, it does help enormously if you are able to get out, for all the reasons others have stated; and the effects are both instant and lasting.

Its hammering down here and also blowing a hoolie. I'm just about to take a clifftop walk with my dog whilst listening to a true crime podcast. It will be the highlight of my day!

Why does walking improve your mood?

Increased endorphin levels

Regular walking enhances the natural release of endorphins which stimulate relaxation and improve your mood. These chemicals work by interacting with receptors in your brain to reduce the perceptions of pain and give feelings of wellbeing.

I don't think anyone is suggesting walking is the big solution to depression or poor mental health, but that it is an easy thing to try and that for most people does have some benefit.

I can 100% vouch that I took the advice "if you have a lot on your mind, go for a walk" very seriously. It is now my specialist subject.

I walked across America: from Mexico to Canada. Six months later I was back on anti-depressants, but a year later my self-esteem was at its highest levels ever, and I was off the pills. I even wrote a book about it.

So no, a walk fixed nothing in the short term. However, there is some good news is that after approx 1,700 miles, I noticed that I had total peace of mind for a few hours a day.

More sensible research suggests that only those who live in the countryside and have access to large green spaces benefit from the advice. Those who live in busy places have an increase in cortisol after a walk, especially if you are female.

No surprises there.

I don’t find walking does anything whatsoever for my MH. I’m the same deeply sad person outside putting one foot in front of the other in the park surrounded by squirrels, birds, kids playing etc, as I am at home doing bugger all. For my friend it’s a huge joy and tonic. So I’d say it’s not a one size fits all thing.

I have depression and walk a lot, incl hill walking. It helps briefly , fresh air is good, and certainly I feel physically better for a short while afterwards, but it really has bugger all meaningful impact on my condition. With depression your ability to appreciate nature is severely limited, I can't take any pleasure in birds, flowers, trees. They're just things to me. They mean nothing anymore.

I don;t think anyone is saying that going out for a walk is a magic bullet which will "fix" anyone. But it's FREE and doesn't require any specialist equipment like other sports like swimming or cycling, so it's got to be worth a go, right?

I know what you mean about the weather! Walking does help even when the weather isn’t great. Just moving your body is beneficial as is getting some fresh air. It does help
if you have somewhere picturesque to walk though. I’m lucky to have a beach nearby which is lovely even in the pouring rain.

I’m sorry you feel like that. It must be awful.
It’s good the walking helps a little though in various small ways, albeit temporarily.

It’s great that you go out and walk a lot as this is often the last thing you want to do with depression.

But if you didn’t do this then your depression would be a lot worse.

You may not feel the effects but it will be helping.

The antidepressants pills work in a similar way to a walk but just in chemical form.

The best chance at overcoming depression is by taking antidepressants alongside walking outdoors.

Movement is a good thing.

This.

And it doesn't rain all the time - I'm outside every day, and can't remember the last time I used my umbrella. I've walked to town today, and it's breezy, intermittent sun, no rain.

I love a damp café.
Sorry that's not much help.

If you have good waterproofs, it can be very pleasant walking in the rain (unless it's torrential, of course). I find it quite soothing, though it definitely takes more willpower to get out there.
When it's wet, it's dark and a bit gloomy inside most houses even with the lights on- but it is brighter outside, which helps my mood.

Spin classes are the thing that helps me most
I can't think about anything other than the fact everything is burning, and when the next interval is
That and wild swimming

Doesn't make any difference to my weight and frustrates me when the doctor says have I tried some gentle walking? No, but I did a 90 min spin class yesterday...

Whilst I much prefer a brisk walk in the Spring and Autumn, I can honestly say a wet and windy walk invigorates me in a way that a walk on a very hot day doesn’t.
Part of the walk isn’t the environment, it is the physical activity. If you find the environment uncomfortable then try 15-30 mins indoor exercise- lots of free stuff on the internet or put on your favourite music and dance.
There isn’t a one cure for all for poor mental health but walking is good for lots of people.

Buy 52 Ways to Walk by Annabel Streets. I promise she is no relation. No vested interest.

Read it when tucked up in bed and you will want to jump out and walk.

I voted Yanbu because it doesn’t suit everyone in the same way that one style of medication or therapy doesn’t suit everyone.

Find your thing. It could be washing your face, it could be baking, anything that helps you in the moment.

Are we talking prevention or cure?