The Research on Walking

By now, many Americans have discovered the benefits of walking. Plus, it’s one of the few outdoor pastimes people can enjoy while social distancing. In addition to fresh air and light exercise, studies have recently found a few more advantages about walking.

The simple act of sauntering causes your brain to juggle a variety of different cognitive functions, from internal mapping of your route to adjusting for a faster heartbeat and quicker breathing. In addition to the physical tasks at hand, you’re likely to find your thoughts meandering from “what type of bird is that?” to a list of things you need to do when you get home.

The brain is your body’s superpower, so it has no trouble multitasking a variety of actions at once. Plus, there are underlying perks that you may not recognize until your walk is finished. For example, walking can help improve your mood, flex your creative juices and promote your capacity for learning.1

Finally, walking can boost your energy levels so you can get more done during the day and sleep better at night. If you’re feeling a bit lethargic and wondering whether you should take a nap or go for a walk, the latter option is usually better for a plethora of good reasons.2

1 Jessica Stillman. Inc. Sept. 3, 2019. “Neuroscientist: Walking Is a ‘Superpower’ That Makes Us Smarter, Healthier, and Happier.” https://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/neuroscientist-walking-is-a-superpower-that-makes-us-smarter-healthier-happier.html?cid=sf01001. Accessed April 3, 2020.

2 Ibid.