Building Mental Resilience, Personal Sustainability and Connection Through Walking

How can one strengthen mental resilience and maintain long-term consistency?
 

Geeta Thakerar, current Chapter Lead of the SCCA Wellbeing Chapter, used to be a long-distance endurance runner for around four decades. Running offered a valuable sense of solitude, which was her form of “me time” away from the demands and distractions of everyday life. Running kilometre after kilometre, feeling subsequent fabulous “feel-good” effect and the endorphin rush that came after every run could not be underestimated.
 

About seven years ago, Geeta switched from running to walking and hiking, often in small groups, for various reasons.
 

She has found that walking with a group transforms a solitary exercise into a shared, goal-oriented activity. It is also social, allowing her to engage in conversations and banter along the way. The steady pace of walking can significantly boost both mental resilience and long-term consistency. Walking also helped her to counter the isolation often felt in remote or high-stress jobs.
 

Group walking provides unique psychological, social, and physical advantages for busy legal and compliance professionals. It also builds a sense of collective progress and personal, as well as group, achievement. Laughing and talking with others helps to trigger the release of endorphins, which are great for stress recovery. Additionally, group dynamics draw attention outward, breaking cycles of negative overthinking. Having conversations as one walks often helps to distract from physical fatigue, resulting in longer total walks.

To experience these benefits first-hand, in-house counsel are invited to join the upcoming SCCA WellFest Wellbeing Walkers event, led by our Wellbeing Chapter, on 15 July 2026. Exclusive to in-house counsel, this session provides an opportunity to connect with like-minded peers. Join us for a refreshing walk, meaningful conversation and a chance to step away from the desk while supporting stress reduction, mental clarity and healthier routines.

Find out more and register now here.  
 

Written By: Geeta Thakerar, Chapter Lead of SCCA Wellbeing Chapter