There’s plenty of evidence out there to confirm my experience of walking to ease depression and anxiety symptoms is far from unique. A 2023 study found that pram walking ranked top of all exercise methods for relieving the symptoms of postnatal depression.

Personal trainer, mother-of-two and founder of Lewsfitness, Laura Wardman has experience with poor mental health and acknowledges that when you’re in the grip of a mental health crisis, getting to the gym isn’t often possible. Instead, she believes that walking is a great movement choice, with countless mental and physical health benefits.

“Getting out in fresh air is such an easy way to release endorphins,” she tells Strong Women. “Walking boosts your mood because it increases blood flow to the brain and body. Natural sunlight increases serotonin which is associated with improving your mood and helping keep you stay focused. I always recommend that my clients go on a walk outside for at least 30 minutes in natural sun/daylight.”

One study looking into the benefits of indoor versus outdoor exercise found that those who walked outdoors for 20 minutes experienced more vitality and energy than those who walked indoors.

“Walking during maternity leave pulled me out of the pits of postnatal depression despair”