Walking

Find a path less-trodden
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Mental health, getting outside and me
Read moreWalking

• Walking • Apr 29, 2021 • 10 min read
Sight, sound, smell, and touch. Our senses help connect us to the world around us, but have you ever considered how you could weave them into your time outdoors?
“For people with complex disabilities, sensory walks provide an opportunity to engage with the outdoors in ways that are innovative and meaningful, at the same time as supporting people to be active.” Alissa Ayling – Head of Sport & Physical Activity, Sense.”
Incorporating mindfulness into any walk will help you notice and appreciate the environment around you. Try finding a mindful state by heading to a quiet and settled place. Have a think about how you feel.
Focus on one thing intently, the look or touch of an object or a particular sound, and try some breathing exercises, inhaling deeply and slowly. Finally, relax. Find more information on mindfulness in Sense’s Sensory Toolkit.
Here are some quick pointers to help you connect with nature on your next walk
You can learn more about the work of Sense or their Sensory Walks Programme, including all the routes hosted in OS Maps, on sense.org.uk
Sense are a national charity for everyone living with complex disabilities and for everyone who is deafblind. Sense is here to help people communicate and experience the world.
Be inspired to do more and go further by equipping yourself with the best tools for the job. Our maps are built on 220 years of experience - we keep walkers, runners, cyclists and more safe in the great outdoors all year round.
Available from local outdoors retailers, bookshops and our online OS shop.
Go to the OS shop