Last week we introduced our wellbeing focus for March and April – Be Active. Being active can boost your mood and help you feel good. But it isn’t just about exercise and keeping fit – there are lots of ways to be active and the important thing is you find something that suits you.
You can be active everyday by making little changes to your routine. It may not seem like much but even just walking can make a big difference. Walk up the stairs rather than getting the lift! If it’s not raining, why not get off the bus a stop earlier? Doing little bits each day means your being active – and the steps will soon build up.
Walking doesn’t just have to be about getting from A to B; it can be about discovering new places, getting back to nature, or learning something new. Take a look at these walking tours you can do around campus or in Manchester.
Pick Litter Get Fitter
We’ll be helping clean our community by picking litter from our cycle lanes and green spaces across the University on Friday 22 March. If you’d like to get involved, there are two events which you can drop by:
11:45am-12:45pm: North Campus (meet at Vimto Park by Sackville Street Building)
1pm-3pm: Main Campus (meet in the reception of University Place)
For more information, please email studentsupport@manchester.ac.uk.
Manchester Tree Trail
Did you know the University campus has its own tree trail? There are over 1,500 trees across the University campus and Whitworth Park. Follow the route and interactive map online to find out about the different types of trees along the trail, and more about the University’s living campus.
Blue Plaque Tour
It’s hard to miss the stunning architecture across campus, however you may not have noticed that several of our buildings have blue plaques on them, signifying their historic significance. Established in 1824, the University is steeped in history and you can follow in the footsteps of our heritage heroes. Visit where Rutherford split the atom, where Marie Stopes (the first female lecturer in the Faculty of Science) taught, and see where the first stored-program computer was built.
And, if you’re really interested in the history of the University, why not spend a lunch time hour on a University History and Heritage walking tour? They take place every Wednesday and Saturday, last around an hour, and cover a range of topics (from science to art).
Whitworth Art Gallery
If history isn’t your thing and you’re just looking for a bit of a lunch time break, head down to the Whitworth Art Gallery. Every Tuesday, 12pm – 1pm the gallery run Walking for Wellbeing as part of their Great Escape events. Walking for Wellbeing at the Whitworth is not only a great way to get active, but you can also explore what’s on your doorstep and meet new people. And its free!
Manchester Walking Tours
Moving slightly further north, there are also several different walking tours across Manchester City Centre, where you can discover more about the city from a variety of perspectives.
Free Manchester Walking Tours were set up by History alumnus Josh. They take place every day, no matter what the weather and cover the main attractions as well as some lesser known places.
Invisible Manchester is a walking tour with a bit of a difference. Set up by another Manchester grad, Alice, the tour is headed by Danny who shares his experience of homelessness in Manchester city centre, offering his own personal insight of the city (including through his own poetry).
Alternatively discover a colourful side of the city with the fantastic abundance of street art in the Northern Quarter. Costing nothing, you can create your own little tour by just having a wander through the streets taking in the beautiful street art. Have a look at Content Ambassador Lina’s video to see her favourite pieces.
Taking it to the next level
No, we’re not talking about competitive walking (although it is a way to be active!) If you enjoy walking and meeting new people, why not explore some of the picturesque places further a field and join the hiking society? The society runs walks every week, for all abilities, from lakeside ambles to hill scrambles.
Whatever suits you – whether you stroll, saunter, wander, trek, tread or trudge – be active.
