Boots and Beach Huts – Made for Walking by Heather Hilder on April 2, 2024 Boots and Beach Huts – Made for Walking These boots (and beach huts) were made for walking Doing your 10,000 steps a day was quite the thing until some strange people realised they could cheat by attaching their phone to the dog! Sadly some will always look for lazy ways to do even the healthiest things. That’s why National Walking Day is important. Every year it reminds us that one of the best ways to stay healthy can also be one of the most enjoyable. So on the first Wednesday in April you have the perfect excuse to celebrate the easiest way to be the healthiest version of you. What’s more, if you have a beach hut you’ve got the perfect scenario for a great walk right on your doorstep. Walkies! Did you know that even 30 minutes of walking every day can have a significant positive impact on your overall health? There are many studies which show this simple activity can help prevent a wide range of illnesses including type II diabetes and heart disease. Aiming for walking between half an hour to 60 minutes isn’t much when you think about it. Anyone with a dog knows the benefits of getting out of the house and even just walking around the neighbourhood. So if you’ve got a stretch of coastline right in front of your beach hut you’ve really got no excuse – get your walking shoes on and get going! The Prom Here in Brighton and Hove we have some wonderful beach huts dotted along a seafront that stretches over four miles from Hove Lagoon to Brighton Marina. The idea of ‘walking the promenade’ stems from Victorian times when a well-dressed leisurely stroll breathing in the sea air was the height of sophistication. Today some people prefer to wear more relaxed exercise gear, stout hiking clothing for all weathers or even take things further with a full ‘power walking’ kit. However you choose to do it, or wherever your hut may be, the benefits both physical and mental are there for the taking. Be social In these day where some people’s idea of ‘being social’ is looking at an online platform on their phone, it’s great to have an activity reason to meet friends and family in the real world. With the spring sun shining on the sea, longer evenings and (hopefully!) drier weather, this time of year is perfect for a good walk. Did you know that it only takes 15 minutes of walking to curb sugar cravings? Or that the average human walking speed is 3.1 miles per hour? Even better, human creativity gets a 60% boost from walking, so if you’re thinking over a problem the best thing to do is get your boots on! Of course, walking isn’t just a good solitary pastime. Taking a walk with family and friends is a great way to relax and get back in touch with one another. It’s also perfect for getting everyone to meet up at your beach hut at the start and finish and make the most of the home-from-home comforts your hut provides.
