By February, most 'New Year healthy start' have already lost a bit of steam — but staying well isn’t just for a month. You can build good health with habits you can keep all year.

You don’t need superhuman motivation or hard exercise. How do you motivate yourself to exercise? Set yourself a walking challenge.

If 2026 is about your long-term well-being, focus on steady progress. Spend time outdoors and make small changes to your daily choices that last. And when your feet do all the work, feeling comfortable changes the mood.

You don’t need an intense training plan or a complete lifestyle overhaul to feel better. Sustainable health comes from consistency — getting outside more often, moving regularly, eating well, and keeping the basics in check.

It is not about doing everything. Doing it regularly is important. This includes the days when the sun isn't shining, which happens too often for us.

We’ve chosen our favourite Bridgedale walking socks so you have the right gear for short walks or day hike. Enjoy comfort with every step.

Getting outside offers benefits well beyond fitness. Fresh air, physical activity, daylight, and time in nature can lift your mood, reduce stress, and help clear the mental clutter.

Outdoor movement doesn’t need to be extreme or strenuous. A steady walk, a weekend hike, or simply stepping outside each day can:

1. Support physical health
2. Boost wellbeing & mental health
3. Reduce stress
4. Help you feel more energised

The key is finding ways to enjoy being outdoors — not treating it like another item on a to-do list. Wearing the right kit will make it just so much easier, you will realise that it persuades you to get out more.

Not every session needs to be tough or time-consuming. One of the simplest and most effective habits you can build is a daily walk.

Walking creates routine, supports consistency, and gives you space to reset — whether that’s on a local footpath, or a steep hike.

Walking delivers real benefits on the body. Sometimes, the best habits feel easy. The best walks are those where you don’t think about your feet. You want to bring back memories, not blisters.

Walking and hiking feel better when good nutrition supports them. Instead of focusing on restrictions, think balance.

A healthy gut is more important than many people think. It affects energy levels, mood, and even motivation to go outside.

Drinking enough water sounds obvious, but it’s one of the most overlooked parts of staying healthy.

Good hydration supports:

• Energy and focus
• Digestion
• Physical performance
• Overall well being

A small daily habit — but one that can make a surprisingly significant impact on the trail.

This year, think less about short-term challenges and more about getting outdoors in small or substantial quantities.

Health isn’t just about starting strong in January. Being active all year long is important. This can mean going for a long hike, taking a steady walk, or just adding a few extra steps outside.

See our hike sock guide – learn what you need to wear👉

Understand the benefits of Merino Wool👉

Your feet do a lot of work, you need socks that keep you running, walking, and cycling.

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