Here at Porthcawl we are blessed with some fantastic beaches and walks for all. The only slight issue is weather but sometimes a good walk in the rain to wash your troubles away is good for the soul.
Being physically active, connecting with nature and other people (the ingredients of a breaking free group walk) are all things which have been shown to have a positive impact on mental health and wellbeing.
Walking and talking come very naturally together, and walking in a group can make us feel more connected to each other reducing loneliness and isolation. Being in nature or in green spaces is shown to have a positive impact on mental health. A good walk can do wonders for your mental wellbeing, and at breaking free we aim to meet couple of times of month to walk and talk (or just listen).
But it's not just about the occasional one-off feel good factor. Being active has a whole range of benefits when it comes to mental wellbeing. That’s why our whatsapp group Is so important to the group, it gives individuals the ability to organise walks weekly and who ever is available can attend. Walking improves self-perception and self-esteem, mood and sleep quality, and it reduces stress, anxiety and fatigue. Physically active people have up to a 30% reduced risk of becoming depressed, and staying active helps those who are depressed recover. In older people, staying active can improve cognitive function, memory, attention and processing speed, and reduce the risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
“Walking has always been there for me, it is a coping strategy that is always available, I can do it on my own or in a group, it provides clarity and comfort, there is something magical about feeling connected to nature”
Walking is one of our core activities at breaking free. Whether we do mindful walking or a group walk. Its about feeling connected to ourselves each other and nature.
