Staff Health & Well-being
Adventurous hill-walking experiences that teaches skills for life.
Walking is a wonder drug!
"I have two doctors - my left leg and my right leg."
(G. Trevelyan)
- STAFF HEALTH & WELL-BEING
- PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
Staff Health & Well-being
TeamWalking offers a range of unique, fun and exciting hill-walking experiences that are perfect for staff health & well-being and personal development.
Physical inactivity is a major public health issue in this country.Walking is something that can be done by virtually everyone, it is accessible and free.
Our hill-walking days will introduce people to the many potential health benefits of walking, discuss ways to increase physical activity and how to incorporate walking as part of a healthy lifestyle. We will give people a pedometer to use and discuss how it can be used as a tool to increase activity levels. We will also coach and teach people about walking in general, map reading and navigation techniques – providing skills for life that can be built upon.
The psychology of hill-walking – eco-therapy
The rolling hills and sweeping valleys engender a sense of space and freedom that has a unique power to soothe, calm, inspire and refresh. There is a growing body of evidence to suggest that the great outdoors can have positive effects on our psychological well-being, not to mention the associated physical health benefits. Hill-walking has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety, improve self esteem and boost self confidence. Hill-walking is a multi-sensory and stimulating experience that clears your mind and allows escapism from the everyday. It provokes thought, reflection and contemplation; it allows time to talk to others in the group in a relaxed and sociable manner. Research shows that human beings have an innate affinity with nature and a need to be connected with it.
There are two rules for all of our hill-walking experiences.
No.1 – no mobile phones. It is important to disconnect from the pressures of everyday life.
No.2 – find out one positive thing about everyone else during the walk, which will then be shared at the end of the day.
Staff Health & Well-being experiences:
WALKING FOR HEALTH – staff health & well-being
We discuss the many potential health benefits of walking, provide pedometers for the day and then teach map and navigation skills that can then be built upon, providing skills for life. Teaching navigation skills will encourage more active lifestyles as people will have the confidence to explore and enjoy the countryside for themselves. Discussing the health benefits of walking will encourage people to walk more everyday – to work, to the shops, for pleasure or relaxation. Full day or half day.
BENEFITS: Encourage more active lifestyles – walking is free and accessible; we are designed to walk. WARNING - a brisk walk for 30 minutes five times a week can seriously improve your health!
Post-walk de-brief
All walks will finish at a great country pub for a de-brief session where we will discuss what people have learnt about themselves, explore their differing experiences and share the positive things they have found out about each other.
Walk Leader
All participants will be guided or shadowed at all times by Mark Reid (Walking Group Leader), who has an unrivalled knowledge of the history and geography of the North of England. Using his knowledge and experience, he will bring alive the landscape through the interpretation of local history, geology and geography. Mark Reid has walked over 7,500 miles of footpaths over the last decade – you are GUARANTEED not to get lost!
Our experience in this field
Mark Reid currently runs a quarterly course for medical students at Hull York Medical School in conjunction with two GPs and a Physical Activity Specialist entitled ‘Walking for Health – Introduction to Hill-Walking’.
This course promotes knowledge, understanding and appreciation of hill-walking and the outdoor environment as well as physical activity in general; allows students to explore the potential health benefits of walking, why these are important and relevant and how walking/physical activity may be included as part of a healthy lifestyle; allows students to explore outdoor First Aid and emergency procedures. The course also explores pedometer use and the concept of ‘green exercise’.
Experience, fitness and gear:
EXPERIENCE
No experience required. Full training and guidance will be given. All participants will be guided or shadowed at all times.
FITNESS
All walks are tailored specifically for each individual group according to your needs, aspirations, experience and average fitness levels. However, a basic level of fitness is required as hill-walking can be demanding at times, with steep ground and rough terrain in places. There are always plenty of rest stops throughout the day and the walks are carefully planned to maximise the full potential of the landscape, taking into account ascents and descents.
GEAR
We can provide full BERGHAUS walking gear, including waterproof jackets, trousers, fleeces, rucksacks, gloves and hats – FREE OF CHARGE! We will also provide everyone with an OS map, compass, head-torch, pedometer and high visibility armband.
NB: You must provide your own walking boots.
