Why Every Cancer Survivor Should Have a Walking Partner

Why Walking With a Partner Matters

In a previous last blog, I encouraged you to get outside and appreciate spring! After I sent it in, I realized that I left out something very important. I didn’t discuss the benefits of walking with a partner, especially as a cancer survivor or someone currently dealing with a diagnosis.

We all know the benefits of walking, especially for cancer patients. I want to emphasize how important it is to have a walking partner.

A Fall That Changed My Perspective

Even though I feel strong and steady, as much as I hate to admit it, I have taken some falls. One happened just this past summer. I was wearing newer walking shoes with a higher sole, and while walking quickly, I looked up to see something. In that instant, my shoe hit the edge of the pavement and I lost my balance. The momentum carried me forward, and down I went hard — onto my right hip.

I was concerned, but I pushed myself to continue the walk, brushing it off as though it were only a minor fall. Thankfully, my husband was with me and encouraged me not to continue our usual route, but to head directly home instead and ice the area. That night, my hip really began to hurt. I kept focusing on how grateful I was that I hadn’t broken it, but I definitely bruised my hip bone, which hurt for months afterward.

Safety Comes First for Cancer Survivors

As cancer patients, we can’t afford falls like that. All the more reason to walk with a partner. If I had broken my hip while alone, I would have been in serious trouble. We need to accept that things are not always exactly as they were before our diagnosis. We may be more vulnerable, and we need to be proactive in protecting ourselves. In this case, being proactive means having someone walk closely beside you.

The Emotional Benefits of Walking Together

There are so many benefits to having a walking partner. If you’ve never walked regularly with the same person, you may not realize how many wonderful conversations can happen along the way. Whether it’s with your spouse, best friend, or you are beginning to walk with someone new, over time, you will begin to develop a deeper connection through those conversations, and that alone makes it worthwhile. A good half hour of uninterrupted time to nourish a relationship and learn from each other is truly a gift, along with the physical benefits of walking itself.

How Nature Can Support Healing

I especially love walking outdoors and believe nature adds another layer of healing. Research has shown that spending time in nature can reduce stress, lower blood pressure, improve mood, and even help decrease anxiety and fatigue. Studies have also found that exposure to green spaces may support immune function and overall well-being — something particularly important for cancer patients and survivors. Even a short walk through a park or tree-lined neighborhood can feel restorative.

Staying Active in Any Season

Of course, depending on where you live, the weather may affect how often you can comfortably walk outdoors. If it’s too hot or too cold, many people head to indoor malls where the temperature stays constant. Having a walking partner helps with motivation, too. Driving to a mall to walk may not sound appealing alone, but with a committed partner beside you, it suddenly becomes easier — and more enjoyable.

Walking During Cancer Treatment

I have also read that walking can be beneficial even during cancer treatment, with your doctor’s approval, of course. Research suggests that gentle physical activity, such as walking, may help reduce fatigue, improve sleep, maintain strength, and boost emotional well-being during cancer treatment. Some studies even suggest that regular movement can improve quality of life and help patients tolerate treatments better.

Taking the Next Step Together

None of us can control everything about cancer, but we can take small steps to care for ourselves physically and emotionally. Sometimes those steps are literal ones — taken side by side with someone who helps keep us safe, motivated, and connected along the journey.

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