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 is: 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 nature: 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.
Julia Bradbury is a well-loved television presenter, author, nature advocate and charity campaigner. She is best known for turning her lifelong passion for walking into prime-time TV with shows including Britain's Best Walks, Cornwall and Devon Walks with Julia Bradbury and Wainwright's Walks in the Lake District. She started her television career as a show business reporter for breakfast television in Los Angeles, and came back to the UK to launch Channel 5.
She was a key member of the presenting team which turned Countryfile into one of the most watched factual programmes on BBC1 with millions tuning in on Sunday nights, and has fronted other flagship shows including Top Gear and Watchdog. In recent years she has also taken on a creative role, co-developing new series, as well as appearing on screen.
Julia's family has connections with Ireland, Rutland and Greece. Born in Dublin, she grew up in Sheffield which is where she was introduced to walking and the power of the great outdoors by her father Michael. He would take her roaming across the Peak District, igniting a passion that remains to this day.
She has used her platform as a public figure to raise awareness and funds for organisations including The National Trust and Keep Britain Tidy and has also been President of the Camping and Caravanning Club for ten years. Alongside her sister Gina, Julia founded The Outdoor Guide website and foundation to encourage all of us to get outdoors and enjoy green spaces - and hopefully to protect them too.
Julia was awarded an honorary doctorate for 'outstanding merit' in her work by Sheffield Hallam University in 2013.
Following her 2021 diagnosis of breast cancer and her recovery from a mastectomy, she made an award-winning documentary Julia Bradbury: Breast Cancer & Me, which is about her experience and to become a champion for Britain's breast cancer charities. She has supported prostate, ovarian and bowel cancer charities for many years and also campaigns for better diagnosis, research and funding into the disease Endometriosis.
Having discovered that around 40% of cancers are preventable, Julia is now determined to speak up for a more personalised approach to health care, embracing new science and taking a preventative and integrative approach. Walk Yourself Happy distils what she's learned and reveals how we can all adopt happier, healthier lifestyles in the 21st century, using nature as our guide. The compelling evidence for better sleep, nutrition, breathing and exercise is explored, along with practical health hacks that we can all adopt, for free.
Her passion is the outdoors and more recently following her cancer diagnosis and surgery, she is dedicating her time supporting the benefits of healthy living and the virtues of nature therapy.
Julia lives in London with her long-term partner and is the mother of three children, a son and twin daughters. She takes them camping to stargaze and ensures they get regular doses of green therapy and nature - Vitamin N. She can often be seen hugging trees and walking barefoot in the grass.
