There’s something wonderfully freeing about heading out for a walk. Whether you’re stepping out for a quick loop around the neighborhood or embarking on a longer trail hike, that moment when you close the door behind you and breathe in the fresh air feels like a small escape from the demands of daily life. But before you go, there’s one simple habit that could make all the difference if something goes wrong: tell someone when you’ll be back.
It sounds almost too obvious to mention, yet it’s a step that many of us skip. We think we’re just popping out for twenty minutes, or we don’t want to bother anyone with what seems like an unnecessary detail. After all, what could possibly happen on a familiar route we’ve walked dozens of times before? The truth is that accidents and unexpected situations don’t announce themselves, and they certainly don’t wait for convenient moments.When you inform someone about your expected return time, you’re creating a simple safety net. You’re giving someone else the information they need to know that something might be wrong if you don’t show up when you said you would. This becomes especially crucial if you’re walking alone, exploring a new area, or venturing onto trails where cell service might be spotty or nonexistent.
Consider what happens if you slip on wet leaves and twist your ankle badly enough that you can’t walk, or if you take a wrong turn and get disoriented in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Maybe you’re walking along a quiet road when a sudden health issue strikes, or perhaps something as simple as stopping to help someone else puts you behind schedule. In any of these scenarios, having someone who knows when to expect you back transforms a potentially dangerous situation into one where help can arrive relatively quickly.
The conversation doesn’t need to be complicated or formal. A quick text message works perfectly well in most cases. You might simply write something like “heading out for a walk, should be back around four” or “going to walk the river trail, back in an hour.” If you live with family or roommates, a casual mention as you’re heading out the door serves the same purpose. The key is being specific about your timeframe rather than vague. Saying “I’ll be back later” doesn’t give anyone useful information, but “I’ll be back by five thirty” creates a clear checkpoint.
For longer or more remote walks, you might want to share a bit more information. Mentioning which trail you’re taking or which direction you’re headed gives people a starting point if they do need to look for you. Some people even share their location with trusted contacts through their phones when heading out on more adventurous walks. This isn’t about being paranoid or giving up your privacy; it’s about being practical and prepared.It’s worth noting that this habit becomes even more important as we get older or if we have any health conditions that could become problematic during physical activity. But really, it’s a good practice for everyone regardless of age or fitness level. Young and healthy people have accidents too, and sometimes the most experienced hikers are the ones who get caught off guard by changing weather or unexpected obstacles.
There’s also a psychological benefit to this practice. Knowing that someone is expecting you back at a certain time can actually make your walk more enjoyable rather than less. You’re free to relax and enjoy your surroundings because you know that if something does go wrong, you won’t be left stranded indefinitely. It’s a bit like the peace of mind you get from knowing you have insurance, even though you hope never to need it.
Some people worry that letting others know about their walks feels restrictive or like they’re asking permission. But there’s a big difference between checking in and checking out for permission. You’re simply sharing information, not asking for approval. You’re still making your own decisions about where to go and when to leave; you’re just being responsible about it.
If you walk regularly, this habit will quickly become second nature. You’ll start automatically sending that quick text or leaving that note without even thinking about it. And on the occasions when you forget, you’ll likely feel a small nagging sense that you’ve overlooked something important, which will remind you to do it next time.
The beauty of this safety measure is its simplicity. It requires almost no effort, costs nothing, and takes only seconds to implement. Yet the potential benefit is enormous. Every year, people get into trouble during what should have been routine walks, and the difference between a minor inconvenience and a serious emergency often comes down to whether someone knew to start looking for them and when.
So before you head out on your next walk, take just a moment to let someone know when you’ll be back. Send that text, leave that note, or make that quick phone call. It’s a small act of responsibility that honors both your own wellbeing and the peace of mind of the people who care about you. Your future self, should you ever need that safety net, will be grateful you made it a habit.