National Walking Month. How to Make Walking Feel Easier

keywellnessuk
May 14
2 min read

May is National Walking Month, a lovely reminder to pop your shoes on and walk a little more, whether that’s a stroll to the shops, the school run, or a five‑mile hike that includes a visit to a country pub.

Walking is one of the simplest ways to support your physical and mental wellbeing. But for many people, it isn’t always straightforward.

Common barriers include:

aches and pains
lack of strength
lack of time
not knowing where to go

If any of these feel familiar, you’re not alone.

Barrier 1: Struggling to Put On Shoes and Socks

For many people, the biggest challenge isn’t the walk itself, it’s getting ready for it.

Difficulty putting on shoes and socks can happen for several reasons:

Stiffness in the lower back
Reduced hip mobility
A sudden flare‑up of pain
Long‑term conditions that make bending tricky

If this is a long‑term issue, you might find comfy slip‑on shoes may make life easier.

If it’s new or sudden, especially if it comes with back pain, it’s worth reaching out for support so we can understand what’s going on.

Gentle movement can also help reduce stiffness and make bending more manageable. Try exploring:

hip mobility exercises
lower‑back easing movements
seated ankle and foot warm‑ups

These small movements can make a surprisingly big difference.

Barrier 2: Lack of Strength in the Legs

Weakness or discomfort in the hips, glutes, or calves can make walking feel harder than it should.

You might notice:

Achy hips
Glutes that fatigue quickly
Tight or crampy calves

Strength training often sounds intimidating, but it doesn’t need to involve weights or gyms. We can build strength gently, using simple bodyweight movements that fit easily into daily life.

Great starting points include:

sit‑to‑stand practice
gentle glute activation
calf strength and mobility

Barrier 3: Lack of Time

This is one I hear all the time.

Walking doesn’t need to be a big event, it can be woven into your day.

Some ideas:

Swap short car journeys for a walk
Turn a coffee catch‑up into a walking chat
Take walking meetings
Add a 10‑minute loop before or after school drop‑off

Small changes add up quickly.

Barrier 4: Not Knowing Where to Go

This one is easier to solve than you might think.

There are plenty of websites and apps with local walking routes, or you can simply head around the block and see where your feet take you.

I’m currently reading a book by a well‑known motoring journalist who walks the same route every day. He talks about how much more he notices the seasons, the wildlife, and the tiny changes in the world around him. You don’t need a new route every time, sometimes the familiar ones are the most rewarding.

You Don’t Have to Do This Alone

If walking feels harder than it used to, or you’d like support with mobility, strength, or confidence, we can work on this together in a gentle, achievable way.