Take a Festive wetland walk and set your 2025 intentions
Over forty per cent of adults in the East of England will set their goals for 2025 during a festive walk this Christmas .
It’s official: Boxing Day is still the most popular day for a walk during the festive period.
A new survey of 2,000 adults, conducted by WWT, the charity for wetlands and wildlife, shows that nearly 55% of us still choose 26th December as our favourite day to get out for some fresh air.
It also revealed that over 40% of people in the East viewed their festive walk as the ideal opportunity to make plans for the year ahead.
Half of those surveyed in the East of England are planning to do their walk with their partner or spouse, with nearly 30% admitting they would like to head out alone for a walk, for some much needed me-time to think about their 2025 goals.
More than a third would prefer that their walk is near water, whether that be a lake, pond or coastal habitat, which is lucky for those living near to Welney Wetland Centre. The nature reserve boasts 536 hectares of breath-taking wetlands, with wide open spaces to explore, and inspiring wildlife to uncover. It’s also open every day of the year except Christmas Day.
Meanwhile, more than 55% in the East plan to set an intention with the aim of improving their health and wellbeing during the coming year.
When it comes to keeping those 2025 intentions, over 40% reckon they’ll need some way to record their progress to keep on track. Offering the perfect solution, WWT is launching for the first time ever, an intentions log book.
WWT’s intentions log book is packed with inspirational ideas for mood-boosting activities that can be enjoyed in wetlands. Visitors can pick up a free copy at WWT Welney Wetland Centre from 26 December to 31 January.
Lizzie Bruce, Site Manager at WWT Welney, said:
“It’s great to see that for many of us, going for a walk and enjoying nature is still a big part of our Christmas tradition. Offering a breathing space between one year and the next, the holidays are a perfect time to reconnect with our nearest and dearest. Being surrounded by friends and family can also help us think about our plans for the future, and set our intentions.
“At WWT we know that being in nature is good for you. Just 10 minutes in wetlands can boost your mood, so getting outside is a great way to stay healthy and positive. If you’re unsure about what or how to set intentions for the new year, you can give our WWT intentions log book a try. It’s filled with great ideas like walking in nature, getting outdoors with friends and family, embracing the seasons and practising mindfulness.
“Connection with nature has been shown to increase happiness, life satisfaction, decrease stress and anxiety and improve physical health. There’s literally no better way to put your best foot forward.”
The One Poll survey also identified that almost half of people in the East consider the safety of the environment they’re walking in during winter.
WWT wetland centres are designed to give an unforgettable experience - allowing visitors to get up close to nature while being safe is paramount. Reserve wardens and friendly staff are always on hand and accessible walkways provide accessibility to all.
