James Francis

I'm not a fan of exercise, but I enjoy long hikes. Getting up early and embarking on a 10km trek will sound like torture to many people, but if you steadily build your way up, you’ll find outdoor walking invigorating. Start with just one or two kilometres, stick to it, and you'll see your life change in small ways.

Why does that happen? I have several theories. The first is that walking is very human; our ability to walk long distances distinguishes us from other animals. The second is that walking engages the leg muscles, which are crucial to circulate blood pooling in your feet due to gravity – it's excellent for your heart.