Soon, National Take a Walk in the Park Day will be upon us — an annual excuse to abandon your desk, escape your responsibilities, and embrace the thrilling world of… walking. Yes, walking! That thing we used to do before cars, escalators, and the “Are you still watching?” prompt on Netflix took over our lives. Celebrated every 30th of March, this day encourages us to step outside, breathe in some fresh air, and remind our legs that they have a purpose beyond shuffling to the fridge.
But why should you care about this glorious holiday? Well, eve enthusiasts, lace up your walking shoes (or just pretend you own a pair), and let’s take a hilarious stroll through the many reasons why a walk in the park might just be the best decision you make all year.
walking is the unsung hero of exercise
Let’s face it: walking doesn’t get nearly enough credit. Running gets all the glory with its marathons, finish-line photos, and overpriced trainers. Yoga is trendy, with its fancy poses and calming chants. Even cycling has an entire Tour de France dedicated to it. But walking? Walking is just there, quietly waiting for us to remember that it exists.
The beauty of walking is that it requires zero preparation. No gym membership, no special gear, and no painful flashbacks to that one PE lesson where you tripped over your own shoelace. If you can put one foot in front of the other, congratulations—you’re qualified! Plus, it burns calories, boosts mood, and allows you to judge other people’s dog-walking skills in real time.
the many perks of a park walk
A park is the ideal setting for a walk. Why? Because it offers a carefully curated selection of nature, without the risk of accidentally wandering into a fox’s personal space. Here are just a few perks of your park-based adventure:
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People watching at its finest: Parks are a buffet of human oddities. From joggers who look like they’re being chased to the elderly gentleman feeding an army of pigeons like a Disney princess, there’s never a dull moment.
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Dog spotting: Don’t have a dog? No problem. Parks provide free access to other people’s dogs. See a particularly adorable one? Tell them they’re a good boy/girl. They deserve to know.
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Unexpected entertainment: Amateur musicians, frisbee enthusiasts, and toddlers on scooters with no sense of direction—parks have it all.
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Fresh air (or at least fresher than your living room): It’s good for your lungs, your brain, and your ability to pretend you’re a nature-loving, well-adjusted adult.
how walking helps you sleep better
Walking can actually improve your sleep quality in several ways too. Discover how below:
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Regulate your circadian rhythm: The exposure you get to natural light during a park walk – especially when you set off out in the morning – helps regulate the body’s internal clock (circadian rhythm). This can make it easier to fall asleep and wake up at more consistent times.
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Reduce stress and anxiety: Walking, particularly in nature, lowers cortisol (the stress hormone) and increases endorphins (1). which help calm the mind and promote relaxation before bedtime.
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Increase sleep duration & quality: Regular physical activity, like walking, helps increase deep sleep (slow-wave sleep), which is super important for physical restoration and memory consolidation.
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Reduce insomnia symptoms: Studies show that moderate aerobic exercise, such as walking, can help people fall asleep faster and reduce symptoms of insomnia (2).
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Reduce Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) symptoms: Walking can help ease some of the symptoms of RLS, a condition that can disrupt sleep by causing an uncontrollable urge to move the legs.
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Regulate body temperature: Being active raises our body temperature, and as it drops post-walk, it can help to tell your body that it’s time to sleep, promoting drowsiness.
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Boost melatonin production: Exercise helps to increase melatonin production (that’s the hormone that’s responsible for sleep). This is especially effective when combined with getting some exposure to natural light.
For the best sleep benefits, walking for 30-60 minutes on most days, preferably either in the morning or in the early evening is optimal. Walking too close to bedtime can sometimes be a bit over-stimulating (and thus have the opposite effect). So, we’d recommend finishing your walk at least 1-2 hours before diving under the duvet.
the different types of park walkers
If you’ve ever taken a stroll through a park, you’ll know that walkers come in many forms. Keep an eye out for these classic characters:
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The power walker: Looks like they’re late for something very important, but they’re just aggressively burning calories.
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The leisurely stroller: Moving at the speed of a snail on holiday, usually found admiring flowers or wondering if they left the oven on.
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The deep thinker: Gazing into the distance, possibly composing poetry or mentally replaying an argument they had in 2017.
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The lost tourist: Squinting at Google Maps, slowly realising they are nowhere near their intended destination.
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The dog parent: Having a full conversation with their pup, who absolutely understands every word.
excuses you’ve probably used to avoid a walk (and why they’re rubbish)
Look, we’ve all done it. Someone suggests a walk, and suddenly, we become walking’s harshest critic. Here are some of the most common excuses—and why they don’t hold up.
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“I don’t have time.” – LIES. You just watched six episodes of a show you don’t even like that much.
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“It’s too cold/hot/windy.” – That’s what jackets, sunscreen, and holding your hood like a cape are for.
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“Walking is boring.” – Not if you bring snacks. Or a friend. Or a dramatic soundtrack that makes you feel like you’re in a movie montage.
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“I’ll go tomorrow.” – Sure you will. Just like you were going to start meal prepping last Monday.
how to make the most of your walk
So, you’re convinced. You’re ready to embrace the magic of walking in a park. But how do you make it an event worthy of its own social media post? Here are a few ideas:
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Bring a podcast or an audiobook: Learn things while you walk! Or just listen to a true crime podcast and get unreasonably suspicious of every passerby.
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Challenge yourself: Try to spot ten different types of birds. Or count how many people are wearing Crocs (spoiler: it’s always more than you expect).
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Go at golden hour: Because everything looks ten times more beautiful when the lighting is Instagram-worthy.
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Treat yourself afterwards: A coffee, a pastry, a three-hour nap — whatever makes you feel like you earned a reward.
the grand conclusion: just take the walk
At the end of the day, National Take a Walk in the Park Day is a gentle reminder that sometimes, the simplest things in life are the best. A walk is free, good for your health, and an excellent way to pretend you’ve got your life together. So, throw on some comfortable shoes, step outside, and take that walk. Who knows? You might even enjoy it.
And if all else fails, remember: you can always turn around and walk straight to the nearest café. Walking there still counts.
Happy strolling! Until next time, eve Sleep.
