Walking in nature 'has extra benefits'

Older people who enjoy walking should do so in a natural environment to combat ageing, it has been suggested, which could be a top tip for those looking to find a care home.

Dr William Bird, Natural England's strategic health advisor, said that walking in a natural environment has extra benefits to just walking.

"When the brain is constantly bombarded with traffic and noise, it is not able to recoup and restore itself, and suffers constant stress which contributes to ageing," he explained.

The expert continued that research has shown people who enjoy walking in a green space exhibit superior performance when it comes to maths and concentration tests.

Additionally, walking can easily be added into a daily routine - walking to and from work, leaving the car at home, taking a stroll during lunch are all convenient ways to add the hobby to a schedule.

This follows research from Frances "Ming" Kuo, who saw the benefits of nature to be proven under scientific conditions.

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