Sounds great. What other benefits could we see from an evening walk?

We can all get different benefits from movement, but what I’ve discovered is that it gives a boost to your mood in the moment and afterwards, and it can also give you a little protection from stressors that lower your mood, working as an amplifier on one side and a protector on the other. As humans we are designed to move, and by doing so we trigger a whole range of biological processes, including enhancing our sight and cognitive function. For me, it gets me in the moment, gets the blood flowing to my head, and with this I can compartmentalise the day and create space for creative thinking away from technology and my everyday to do list.

Not only do I get a clearer mind, bright ideas and a few more steps in, but I also practise my resilience muscle when it’s cold and dark and I don’t feel like doing it. I feel that with all the focus on exercise, we forget about how powerful movement is, and the longer-term benefits of walking to our cardiovascular health, bone and joint health compound over time. While you literally gain momentum as you walk (the name of my new book), and this movement can feel like progress on the days you feel you haven’t got anywhere, it’s not just of benefit to the mind, it’s also good for the body and our soul.

There’s no wrong way to go for a walk, but are there any common pitfalls of your One Good Thing? Anything we need to consider?

Some common pitfalls are becoming overly focused on measuring your walk. In a world of wearables, we can force ourselves to get our steps in, but this can create an obsession with the outcomes, rather than getting the benefits of being in the moment. If you notice this about yourself, ensuring you don’t track it in an unhealthy way can be beneficial. Secondly, let’s be honest, when it’s cold, wet and dark, you can feel like this is the last thing you want to do. I counter this by making it easy by having it in my diary and having my walking shoes in view. I also find little ways to reward myself for pushing beyond the resistance and actively notice how I feel afterwards, which reminds you of why you do it.

One Good Thing: why an evening walk can do wonders for your mental health