Walk Yourself Happy: Find your path to health and healing in nature

by Julia Bradbury

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER

'It's hard not to be persuaded by Bradbury's enthusiasm and positivity' THE TIMES

Join Julia Bradbury as she leads you through the walk of our lifetimes.

There's a lot of talk about how we all must connect more with nature. But what does that mean? How do you do it? And what does it do for you in return? Can something as simple as going for a walk really improve your life? The simple answer YES.

Walk Yourself Happy will explain the elemental link between our own health - both physical and mental - and the natural world.

Julia knows first-hand the profound impact of it has helped her survive breast cancer, overcome infertility and continue through failed IVF treatments; it balances the soul and acts as a confidante and therapist. Through science-backed information, practical tips and Julia's own story, Walk Yourself Happy will explore how nature can soothe anxiety and stress, how a mountain or a tree can keep you company in times of grief, and the importance of building nature into your everyday life, so you eat well, sleep better and move more.

Walking, one of the most accessible activities for most of us, is the fastest and easiest way to embed yourself in nature. You don't need expertise or equipment; you just need to put one foot in front of another. You don't need an epic landscape either, you can walk down the street or in your local green space. Though, as you will learn from this book, a walk in the park is rarely just that.

We all have shocks and surprises that stop us in our tracks, make us question who we are and why we are here. In walking, we have the power to change our pace. And when we do that, we can find union with nature, camaraderie with friends and a form of intimacy with self.

We can walk ourselves happy and we can walk ourselves healthy, and we can rekindle the innate bonds, all-but extinguished by modern living, that we have always had to our natural environment. We can start today.

Genres: Nonfiction, Walking, Health

272 pages, Paperback

Published May 6, 2025

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am very disappointed, as I had been so excited to read this book. Despite what the summary says, the book is mostly about Julia’s post-cancer lifestyle changes which is very misleading - it is not an uplifting book about the joys of walking. There are a number of potential triggers if people are struggling with health anxiety, or with any sort of eating disorder. The tone is quite preachy, and at times a little condescending. I have taken a few bits of advice on board, though, and some of the research interesting - although the breathing section was quite contradictory at times. Some of the early and late chapters are enjoyable, as they focus on the pure joy of walking, but sadly the whole book was not what it promised.

[Carla]

I purchased the audiobook but I just couldn't get into it. I was expecting a book about walking and nature that I could enjoy whilst walking in the city, but I am only in Chapter 3 and so far it's covered sleep and diet. Discussion of these came across (to me) as somewhat preachy. If I had a hard copy I may try to be selective and skip ahead, but it's too difficult with an audiobook and I have many other things to listen to so I'm giving up, for now at least!

[Grace · Rating 2 out of 5]

The stars I’ve given this reflect the fact that I can’t get over the misleading title. This book is not about walking, it’s about wellness more generally. Of course walking and sleep are linked, walking and nutrition, walking and mental health likewise. So, why not choose a more accurate title? As a book about wellness is it also flawed because Bradbury places herself at the centre of the narrative so much. As a fellow breast cancer patient, I enjoyed her discussions of her own experience of breast cancer and her cancer focus which emerges regularly throughout, but I wonder whether a reader who was not affected, nor had an affected family member, who had innocently chosen a book about walking, or so they thought, would feel about this? I think the most accurate title for this book would be something like Post-Cancer Treatment Wellness with Julia Bradbury. I think Bradbury herself is aware of the extent to which the book strays from walking because the very brief, late section about world walks and British walks is so tagged on.

[my.bookshelf.87 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book version of this. Because of that, the sections detailing exercises to do dragged on a bit. Overall, it was an interesting read focusing on the benefits of being in nature, a good diet, and keeping active. I lead a very active lifestyle and my (vegan) diet is around 80% healthy, 20% not so healthy. However, parts of this book will make you feel a bit rubbish about your choices, no matter how healthy you are... I'm certainly not going to be giving up my one cup of coffee anytime soon or stop eating processed foods! I can understand why Julia has gone down this path though, after her cancer diagnosis. It scares people and can make them go a bit over the top with things.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Way more than a book about walking. This is a very useful handbook for how to live a better life in today’s high pressure world woven in with Julia’s story and health challenges. Lots of advice on health, nutrition etc which I will definitely refer back to frequently.

[Jayne Hood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring read packed full of useful information

[Adam Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Walk Yourself Happy by Julia Bradbury is the motivating book everyone needs to encourage themselves to live their life to the fullest. From a life-changing breast cancer diagnosis in 2021, the accompanying fly-on-the-wall documentary where you take each harrowing emotional step with her and her family through treatment, to the publication of this beautiful book that advocates for the power of walking in nature to enhance our own, very individual health and wellbeing is incredible. Ms Bradbury is an inspiration.

Her enthusiasm and knowledge of her healing power are a saving grace for anyone struggling with any cancer diagnosis or any form of mental health that someone is working with. Walking is the best exercise you could ever do for your overall health. I enjoy it; it’s excellent for mental health as well. I should’ve bought myself the audiobook version because I could imagine how embracing Bradbury’s words would’ve been if I had taken it for a walk outside.

[Carina · Rating 2 out of 5]

Trigger Warning: Cancer

I'll admit two stars feels a bit unfair for this book, but I did spend a LOT of time not quite rolling my eyes at it, but not enjoying it either. This was a gift so I had no idea that the author was someone who had had breast cancer in the past, but it's worth pointing that out because the author brings it up, a lot. And I get it, I do, cancer is massive and has huge impact. But if your suffering a bereavement due to this - this likely is not the book for you.

I also agree with other reviewers that the title is not quite accurate. This book covers walking, breathing, eating and exercising - all with the goal of being healthier, so calling it walk yourself happy is not quite accurate. There's also at times a bit of an assumption that you can afford to eat the right things, or live somewhere where there are green spaces, or can easily get somewhere with green spaces. And whilst I do 100% agree that walking in nature if phenomenal, I think a bit more focus on walking in general might have made this more widely appealing.

Despite the 2 star rating I am going to suggest my Mum reads this book, and there are certain elements of it I will take away. But I doubt I will ever re-read it in its entirety again.

[LadyH39 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Really disappointed with this book, was so looking forward to it! The book isn’t actually about the joys of walking, it’s a general wellness book about sleep, nutrition and other bits which I already know a lot about, so unfortunately will be returning for something more suitable

[Denise · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn’t finish this book. It was far too preachy.

[Katherine Quinton · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much on self help and not much about walking

[Jane Riordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this book and because I liked it so much, I am not sure whether 'Happy' is the correct word in the title, thinking that perhaps far too much emphasis is placed on us all achieving happiness these days, whereas contentment, health, fulfillment might all be better descriptors of what one can achieve by following the principles contained within the book; to use the word 'happy' would seem to diminish the impact of the advice inside.

Rant over!

Julia Bradbury interweaves personal health story with witnesses with scientific and medical research, all designed to improve one's physical, emotional and mental well-being.

Walking is, after all, something we do without thinking but perhaps we don't see it as 'proper' exercise or appreciate the benefits that it can bring us, especially when coupled with taking us into the great outdoors - this is not an encouragement to get on your treadmills.

There is something for everyone within the pages, activities and suggestions for all levels of fitness and enthusiasm.

[Tracy Hodge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just another cheapie buy from our local store and I bought it because I like Julia and I love watching her TV programmes on walking etc.

I have to say it was a fairly easy read - you could skim through the pages easily - especially as lots of the pages covered conversations with experts etc.

A decent enough self help book, reminding me how wonderful walking is - I don't need to be reminded but it was still a good book which reinforced my love of walking and being outdoors.

I did pick up some useful information and snippets from her research and chats which I will take forward and I did love the fact that it was written as Julia speaks in her programmes - you could hear her speaking the words and talking to you - which was good and a nice personally written book.

A good read and I'm glad I bought it and read it & will now pass onto my friends!

[Maddie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, not as bad as I thought it was going to be! It loses the plot in the middle of the book and talks about health things that aren't necessarily benefits that come with walking, but overall I really enjoyed the insights and thought it was quite accessible. There's some general health guru nonsense in here, such as cutting ALL alcohol and cutting ALL caffeine and only eating pine nuts and avocados (to exaggerate a bit), but you're going to get that anyways from most Instagram posts. All in all I thought the advice was very practical and well meaning in the intentions. There's like one or two lines that might trigger health anxiety and a lot of talk about cancer. I really enjoyed her appreciation for walking and nature and wish more of the book focused on it, but I'm okay with the end result there.

[Thebooktrail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have had a sneak peek at this and feel it's a very insightful and interesting book. It's sensible and inspiring as many of us feel we could do better with our health but find it confusing or hard work to change old habits. Julia makes it all so friendly and accessible whether you can walk well or have mobility issues - it's alll about nature and changing your mindset.

Julia has always been an advocate of health and walking but since her diagnosis, she has made it her mission to share her discoveries and feelings with the world. I think it's very admirable and who better to tell us than her?

I walk a lot but am always looking for ways to enjoy it more and to mix it up and this book really does consider the full package. It helps that Julia just exudes positivity!

Recommended!

[Helen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This wasn't at all what I was expecting and was very disappointed. I started walking to help with my mental health after a relationship breakdown and was expecting a heart lifting book about the joys of being outside with tips etc. Instead it felt more of a lifestyle book on other factors and felt more like she was preaching to us. A lot of talk about her cancer diagnosis which I'm afraid, isn't something I am in the mindset to read about at the moment.

[Francisco Machado · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book about improving and maintaining our physical and mental health. Julia has managed to summarise current themes about how we can improve our health by looking at what we eat, how we breathe, sleep and manage stress. And of course the benefits of walking and movement particularly in natural surroundings. Motivating and easy to read. Lots of useful resources and references for further education.

[Susie · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a keen walker, given the title I was expecting a book all about the joys of walking. However very little is actually about walking itself with much more about leading a healthy lifestyle through factors such as diet, breathwork and sleep. Having recently read other books covering those topics I ended up skimming the majority of the book.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very encouraging book about looking after yourself. It puts emphasis on some aspects of health that are less discussed - spending time in nature, breathing, daylight as well as the usual nutrition, exercise and sleep. Even a section on looking after your feet. Lots of examples of exercises which might just change your approach.

[Julia Sutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book. The focus being on the healing power of walking, but there are chapters on nutrition, sleeping and breathing too. There is also a section on exercises which I’m going to have a go at. Really well written in a chatty humorous tone, I found it inspiring, fun, uplifting and positive. Enjoyed it very much.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

An uplifting and enjoyable read. If you already enjoy the benefits of walking in nature, you will learn more from this book about breathing techniques and nutrition and it will affirm what you are already doing. If you are waiting to get started, it will give you the inspiration you need. Julia tells her own story too, in this book, with emotion and honesty.

[Christine Parkinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pleasant book and good to listen to whilst running/walking. This book is as much about wellness as it is about walking. There are a lot of references and exercises throughout the book and it would have been beneficial to have the exercises at the end of the book to refer back to. (They may be in the hard copy). I give this 3 and a half stars.

[Gem ~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfectly encapsulates the power of walking and nature in one book.
With scientific and anecdotal evidence covering health boosting tips for sleep, nutrition, breathwork, strength training, stress management and more it is a well written and positive guide to encourage and inspire.

[Sarah B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this book! Definitely time for me to make changes. I live by the beach and my husband and I love walking in nature but we don’t have time. Hmmm… tomorrow is not promised and our time is precious. Thanks for the reminder

[Anja Leeves · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book40 for 2024

This is a coffee table book, dip in and out of the many chapters and categories.

An easy read to help wellbeing and great for beginners if walking as it even has tips for - how to choose hiking boots.

Buy it second hand as I didn’t think it was worth the cover fee

[Sandra Mandziuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly positive and inspirational read with lots of good advice. Julia writes in an easy way that is not patronising. She has a lot of life experience to give and is easy to relate to.
I I’ll be taking on board some of the suggestions to try to improve my health and well being further.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about so much more than walking. It is positively life changing. Grounded in evidence but also common sense. I listened to the audio book but will but the book as a reference copy.

[Sara Sutton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book, I did think it would be more about walking and a walking programme but still great healthy lifestyle advice and ideas.

[Jan Madden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book. What she promotes just makes utter sense. My new life starts today. Inspiring

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted a book on walking- whilst this was delved into throughout, there was more of a focus on health. The parts that included the walking was brilliant- I just wanted more of it!