It’s Walk Your Dog Month! Don’t miss the chance to take your four-legged friends for a mental health walk this January!
Looking for a way to walk off the food of the festive season? Well, look no further. Walk Your Dog Month is here just in time to start off 2023! It’s time for you and your four-legged friend to get some much needed fresh air and clear your minds, ready for a new year of opportunities (and doggie biscuits!)
Walk Your Dog Month is celebrated for the whole of January and encourages dog owners around the world to get out into nature with their puppy pals. This movement has taken off particularly over the last few years, with 3.2 million people in the UK acquiring pets during the pandemic and wanting a fun way to spend a bit of time outdoors.
Walking your dog is a great way to dust off the January Blues – you can get out of the house, interact with nature, meet fellow dog walkers, neighbours, and friends – and who could forget the obvious health benefits?
The links between physical activity and mental wellbeing have been well documented. Even just a brisk 10 minute walk every day can increase our energy, improve our mood, and therefore increase our mental alertness. Physical activity can also improve our self-esteem and reduce negative emotions like stress and anxiety. In fact, completing around 2.5 hours of brisk walking per week results in a 25% lowered risk of depression – and you also get to spend time with your dog!
In better news still, our furry friends themselves are known to have a positive effect on our mental health – they really are a man’s best friend! Studies have revealed that dogs can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression – with 74% of pet owners agreeing that their overall mental wellbeing has improved due to owning a pet. Dogs are particularly known to ease loneliness and encourage exercise, which is perfect for those who are struggling with the prospect of a new year and need a small resolution to help them start the year off with a positive mindset.
So, now you know all the facts, it’s time to get your walking boots on and your dog leashes at the ready! But before you go rushing off into the wildlife, here are some top tips to make sure you get the most out of your dog walking this month:
- Make sure you bring along plenty of fresh water for you and your dog, especially if you’re on a long walk
- Stay in public areas that are well lit, and be sure to wear bright clothes (and leashes and collars) if you’re taking an evening stroll
- Beware of ice, snow and grit – they can cause irritability to your dog and cause dangerous walking conditions for you too!
- Get everyone involved – bring along the family or friends for a new year’s catch up on the go!
- Have fun!
If you find that dog walking has greatly improved your mental health, take a look at some more tactics you can use to care for your wellbeing at the Mental Health and Wellbeing Shows free webinars (https://mhwshow.co.uk/webinars/), or book a training course at the Ajuda Foundation (https://www.ajuda.org.uk/ ) to find out what works best for you! You can find all the info with the links below. Happy walking!
