Walks around town and in the countryside

Start with the first step

For people who are not very active, the very word “sport” can cause stress or anxiety. After all, sport is an exercise, an iron discipline, with a lot of expert knowledge to be absorbed, and usually there is no time or inclination for this. These are just some of the excuses that keep us from getting off the couch and this passing on this bad habit to our children. And yet every journey begins with the first step.

First leave the house

The first step to physical activity can be walks, or simply walking, just doing this basic movement. The main advantage is that it does not require any preparation whatsoever and is suitable for people of all ages. The simplest walk in the park is a perfect way to relax, de-stress and strengthen the body. It improves circulation, oxygenation, exercises the muscles, and in the winter it strengthens resistance to infection.

Education with children

Walking with children at different times of the year allows you to look at nature and trigger natural curiosity. Flowering spring flowers, summer fruit or autumn leaves and chestnuts are great pretexts for early lessons on our natural environment and the sharing of knowledge. Collecting the fruits of nature can also serve as ideas for games and entertainment on rainy days – figures made from conkers or acorns are just some ideas for fun at home.

Passing on good habits

In our efforts to ensure resilience to illness we should primarily concentrate on passing on good habits. Taking walks together and generally putting more importance on walking rather than driving is a clear message for a child that physical activity is very important. If you do this together, your child will associate this activity with a positive experience, because it is time spent with you, and this is crucial for children in the early stages of development.

Exercise wisely

Passing on good habits begins with making them our own habits, so try to walk as often as possible, perhaps cheating a little, for example by getting off the bus early or by parking your car as far away as possible from the entrance to the shopping gallery and, if possible, by not using your car for short distances. It will be much easier for you to go for more afternoon or evening walks in a larger group. But actually this is just the first step, because when you taste, or actually rediscover, what it means to travel on your own two feet, you will definitely desire further walking trips – whether it be in the mountains or other interesting places. The most important thing to do is start today.