By Sam Forbes
With so many restrictions on what we can do during the Coronavirus pandemic, many people have turned to the simpler and more old fashion sources of entertainment to occupy their time.
When it comes to exercise, it doesn’t get much simpler than walking.
Walking boasts many health benefits while being highly accessible due to it being no cost, available at the front door, and requiring a very low level of baseline fitness to get started.
According the Victorian Government’s Better Health Channel, “just 30 minutes every day can increase cardiovascular fitness, strengthen bones, reduce excess body fat, and boost muscle power and endurance”.
It can even help reduce the risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and some cancers.
Beyond the physical health benefits walking is also good for your mental health, especially if you can share it with a friend. At Gippsland Goodness we often meet to walk for our team catch-ups. It’s also a great activity to do while listening to a podcast, some music or an audiobook.
Another great benefit that we especially get to enjoy in the Gippsland area is being more connected with the natural world around us. No matter how many walks you go on in the same area there is always something new to discover and explore.
If you walk at a similar time each day you can observe the changes in light during the seasons, the effect of frost and heavy rain, and the behaviour of birds at different times of the year.
So we’re wondering, where have you been walking these past few months?
Tell us HERE and post a pic if you have one.
Gippsland has many great places to walk, starting at your front door. Beyond that there are the rail trails, the national parks, and the many wetlands and town recreation reserves. Don’t forget those long walks along the beach.
Gippsland Goodness reader Margaret Breheny sent the photo below of one of her favourite spots, Bellbird Corner Riverside Reserve, Maffra.
Stage 3 restrictions outside of Melbourne allow for walking, exercise or casual sporting activities with one other person or your household members.
Tell us about your walking location recommendations
Gippsland Goodness 