Walking to University

All this week we have Paul in from ‘Living Streets’ on both campuses, encouraging us to walk to University more - promoting the health, financial and environmental benefits. He will be dotted around University all week so do have a chat with him if you see him. 

In order to encourage more students and staff to walk to University, the Students' Unions own Janet Gladstone has shared her story of why she walks to work. 

"I’ve been walking to work, at the Students’ Union, regularly for just over six years. I live in Hazlemere, which is on the outskirts of High Wycombe, and walk the two miles (about 3.6km) from my house at least four times a week. Okay, so it isn’t great when it’s pouring with rain, but on balance there are far more positives than negatives:

• It’s a great way to take exercise. By the time I get to work I have usually done about 5,200 steps towards my 10,000-a-day total. The walk takes about 35 minutes, from door to door, and I can easily stop off for a takeaway coffee on the journey. Walking also tires me out which helps me to sleep better at night.
• It’s cost free. No bus fares, taxi charges or petrol costs for the car, and no concerns about finding a place to park or parking fees.
• Walking is really good thinking time, so therefore good for my mental health. On the walk to work I can think about what I need to get done that day so that I arrive in the right frame of mind to start my list of tasks (after a coffee of course!). On the way home I can process the events of the day so by the time I get back I don’t have to think about or worry too much about work in the evenings.   
• Even in the middle of town it’s easy to spot wildlife on the daily walk to work. I have seen Muntjac deer, foxes, pheasants and Red Kites as well as lots of other birds. There are also flowers (wild ones and garden flowers) in the spring and summer, and colourful leaves and fungi in the autumn and winter.
• Walking is a good way to get to know your neighbours and the area where you live, if you do it regularly.
• You can listen to music as you walk if you wish, or catch up on podcasts. It’s easier and safer to concentrate on these when you are walking rather than driving. 
• I particularly love walking when it snows, and I can always get to and from work in bad weather. Watching the sun rise and set on the journey at different times of the year is also a great pleasure for me.

So, if you are living within two to three miles of the campus consider walking in to the University. Maybe not all the time given our terrible climate, but a couple of days a week, if the weather is dry, would be an excellent start. You really won’t regret it!"