The second of our guided walks around the Capital Ring route, takes you through mature woodland in Falconwood. Roberta Arden, who leads the walk on Sunday 14th April, looks at the benefits of walking in nature.

The benefits of walking in nature can be many and help with emotional, mental and physical health, to focus on the positives of life. So put on your walking boots and pack your rain mac and head out and join us at Footprints of London. Some of the many benefits include –

• It’s free apart from the odd parking charge, getting out into nature is relatively low cost compared to a gym membership.
• It boosts your energy levels, fresh air will reawaken your brain.
• Reconnecting with nature reduces stress and calms your nerves. It can lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rate and blood pressure.
• It will raise your spirits, exercise and peace and quiet will lift your mood.
• Trees naturally give off something called ‘phytoncides’ or ‘wood’ essential oils, which have a beneficial effect on our nervous system.
• Walking through green spaces can create the calmness needed for reflection. It’s in this calm, quiet reflective state that creativity can flourish.
• It can help to talk through a problem, laugh and spend time away from work and daily life, this is easier to achieve without all the usual distractions like social media, colleagues, noise and chaos.

The Japanese have been practising Shinrin-Yoku since the 1980s this means ‘forest bathing’. These are gentle walks between 2-4 hours long that support wellbeing through sensory immersion in forest and naturally healing environments. It has become a popular preventative healthcare and healing method in Japanese medicine. The good news is that you don’t have to go as far as Japan to have a similar experience as there is much delightful countryside not too far from London. The walks on the Capital Ring are ideal for this, most are between 2 and 4 hours in duration and pass through many of London’s green spaces.

“In every walk in nature one receives far more than he seeks”
— JOHN MUIR

Roberta leads the walk starting at Falconwood station at 11am on Sunday 14th April – see here for tickets