Feel Good Walks
University of Edinburgh staff and students are invited to come along for a lunchtime Feel Good walk to help boost your mood.
The Active Lives team aim to make walking an enjoyable activity for staff and students at the University of Edinburgh. Our walks are an opportunity to improve general fitness, make new friends and enjoy some headspace in the fresh air. Walks are led by trained walk leaders and all routes are risk assessed. The walks are inclusive and aim to encourage less sitting and more walking! We believe walking is the gateway to living a happier and healthier lifestyle - here’s why.
Walk for physical health
Even 10 minutes of brisk walking between meetings or on our lunch break can do wonders for our wellbeing and can be an instant mood booster. Walking can strengthen muscles, manage a healthy weight, improve cardiovascular fitness and reduce your risk of suffering from a serious health condition. It’s important we feel fit, strong and healthy whilst carrying out daily tasks, and walking can help us do just that!
Walk for mental health
Want some headspace? Let’s walk. Walking can boost feelings of self-esteem, improve mood and reduce anxiety and depression. Walking within local parks and along woodland trails can do wonders for clearing the head and in Edinburgh, we are fortunate to have an abundance of green space.
Walk for social health
Fancy a chat? Come on down to our organised walks where you’ll be joined by like-minded people all wanting to achieve the same thing – to sit less and walk more! Walking as part of a small group can make you feel connected, build friendships and create a sense of belonging. Our walks can help combat social isolation and loneliness.
Walk for the environment
Want to play your part in reducing traffic congestion and pollution? Leave the car at home and walk to work! Less traffic on our roads will create a safer environment for others to walk and cycle within our city and hopefully encourage more people to become physically active.
When and where are the Feel Good Walks
Our walks will start back again in September at Central Campus and in October at Easter Bush. The walks can take around 30 to 45 minutes.
Central Campus - in front of the Wellbeing Hub, Bristo Square sessions:
- Tuesday 28 February from 12:30pm to 1:15pm
- Tuesday 21 March from 12:30pm to 1:15pm
Easter Bush Campus - outside Charnock Bradley Building sessions:
- Tuesday 21 February from 12:30pm to 1:15pm
- Tuesday 14 March from 12:30pm to 1:15pm
King Building Campus - Outside Murchison House Element cafe sessions:
- Tuesday 7 February from 12:30pm to 1:15pm
- Tuesday 7 March from 12:30pm to 1:15pm
- Tuesday 28 March 12:30pm to 1:15pm
Book one of our Feel Good Walks
You will need to have a MyEd account to book these sessions.
Other University Feel Good Walks
Our colleagues at Moray House also offer lunchtime Feel Good Walks that meet outside the Nursery School Building, Student Experience and Support Office (opposite Charteris Land) (Moray House).
View details of Moray House Feel Good Walks
Walks are led by Paths for All trained walk leaders and all routes are risk assessed. The walks are inclusive and adaptive, aiming to encourage less sitting and more walking! We believe walking is the gateway to living a happier and healthier lifestyle.
Feedback from recent attendees:
After the walk I felt refreshed, relaxed and happy my head space was clearer, also I felt more focused after the walk.
I really enjoyed the walk. The walk leader was very upbeat, clear and checked in on how everyone was feeling regularly. Signed up to two more walks.
Enjoyed having moments to stop and even reflect on the environment, or even stops with a purpose or slightly interactive element.
The walk was really nice, it had a lovely pace to it and was great to get out and speak to others.
I really enjoyed joining the walks organised by the Active Lives team! It is a great opportunity to meet new people and make connections from the university staff and students while embracing the outdoor setting of The University of Edinburgh campuses. I recommend visiting Easter Bush campus for those who have not done it yet. It is a very pleasant place where you can connect with nature and meet with animals such as sheep and horses.