Walking Back to Happiness?

A book on the multiple health benefits of walking has been published (https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/may/07/the-walking-cure-why-we-should-all-be-putting-one-foot-in-front-of-the-other). It's uncertain, however, whether a book is really needed to confirm that folk would be well-advised to walk more. Walking is a relatively low impact form of exercise (it's far better for the joints than running). It also generally needs minimal equipment and preparation. Walking can be done, in any safe location (safety may depend on the time of day), by a majority of people of most ages. Walking is certainly more healthy than simply sitting inside, watching e.g. TV or a computer screen. There are, however, a few provisos. People should have appropriate footware and garments (as Billy Connolly said "there's no such thing as bad weather: Only the wrong clothing"). New walkers should also gradually build up the distances that they travel. Otherwise, aches and pains can discourage further activity. One must also admit that there are some city locations, where pedestrians are not adequately protected from vehicles. Currently in the UK, electric scooters, on pavements, are becoming an increasing hazard. Walkers can also be forced to breathe in harmful vehicle emissions in some localities. It may be an idea to choose where you walk! It's sensible, for longer trips in the countryside, to give people an idea of where you are going and when you expect to return. Don't get too hung up on 'steps' completed. The 10,000 daily steps target is entirely arbitrary. The early Japanese mechanical activity counters only went up to 10,000.