Walk and Talk: Michelle shares the benefits of Walking for Health 10 January 2025 Michelle shares the benefits she finds in joining a weekly Health Walk as part of our Walking for Health programme. Through our Health Walks, our vision is to support people to lead healthier lives through the delivery of friendly, accessible walks led by experienced walk leaders. Everything had got on top of me, and I knew I had to find a way out. The health walk has been so beneficial. It got me back out into the fresh air and helped me clear my mind. For that hour every week, I just focused on the walk. Michelle Gordon, 51, lives in Drumchapel and has been taking part in the Walking for Health weekly walk in the area for more than two years. The walk is a joint venture between Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland and the Health & Social Care Alliance Scotland. After the death of her father just before lockdown, Michelle had thrown herself into her job as a self-employed car valeter, but dealing with her grief and loss proved difficult, and she felt into a depression and gave up work briefly. She turned to social media to find local walking or gardening groups, knowing she needed to deal with how she was feeling. Michelle said: “Everything had got on top of me, and I knew I had to find a way out. The health walk has been so beneficial. It got me back out into the fresh air and helped me clear my mind. For that hour every week, I just focused on the walk. “I was nervous going at first. I didn’t want to open up to anyone or have to answer any questions. I had my guard up, if I’m honest. “But I didn’t have anything to worry about. If I wanted to chat, I could. If I wanted just to walk and not talk, I could. It’s been such a positive experience.” Michelle has now returned to work full-time as a cleaner and is also volunteering with a local dementia group. As with the health walk, volunteering has given her a new purpose and determination. She said: “I’d recommend a walking group to anyone and volunteering, too. No matter the weather, just get out there. It’s worth it for how good it makes you feel.” Health Walks If you’re living with the effects of a chest, heart or stroke condition or Long Covid and looking for advice and information, please contact Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland’s Advice Line on 0808 801 0899. You can also text NURSE to 66777 or email adviceline@chss.org.uk.