Whether during a walk in the forest or to go to work, walking is a natural means of transportation and practically accessible to all. It is both useful for getting around and good for your health. Moreover, walking would improve brain activity according to various scientific studies. Explanations.
Regardless of age, weight or athletic level, we are almost all able to walk to the extent that humans are made for bipedalism. It can also be seen from childhood when a baby instinctively learns to stand up and walk from 8 months. In the same way, the march has a symbolism for the Man because it is on foot that he discovered the world or that he fought for his freedom.
Walking is therefore a physical and sensory activity, which allows you to take care of your body while taking care of your mind. Moreover, here are the effects of walking on the brain and its benefits on the body.
The effects of walking on the brain
Physical activity has been shown to be important for the brain, as it increases the formation of synapses, that is, areas of contact between cells, and causes the release of hormones. at the origin of neurogenesis (process of formation of a neuron from a neural stem cell). Thus, the researchers focused on physical activities and their effects on the brain, including walking.
In a study conducted by Japanese scientists on elderly people, researchers were able to confirm an improvement in brain activity during walking. Moreover, they discovered that physical training (walking, aerobics and physiotherapy) had a positive effect on brain regions associated with memory. Moreover, according to another scientific study, daily walking, especially when performed in nature, acts on the autonomic nervous system (the part that manages various vital functions such as digestion, respiration or cardiac muscle activity. ) and the regulation of mood. Also note that walking, combined with another task (such as talking or doing mental calculations), would activate the frontal lobe, the area of the brain related to movement, intention, and consciousness.
Other benefits of walking
- Depression: Walking, including Nordic walking, also helps reduce symptoms of depression and mood disorders, according to a scientific study. This phenomenon is explained in particular by the release of endorphins, hormones of pleasure, during physical activity.
- Obesity: In general, physical activity allows you to spend calories and therefore fight against overweight and obesity. Walking is therefore a simple way of losing and stabilizing one's weight, in particular by eliminating calories and toxins, but also by the positive effect on the insulin resistance it offers.
- Cardiovascular diseases: To prevent the development of cardiovascular diseases, the practice of walking is strongly recommended. In fact, it limits fat accumulation, reduces hypertension and improves cardiac endurance.
- Longevity: Thanks to a cohort study conducted on non-smoking elderly people, scientists discovered that regular walking increases longevity. A difference in mortality rate was found between men who walked less than 20 years old. 1.6 kilometers a day and those who walked more than 3.2 kilometers a day. Thus, it is not less than 7 years of difference life that exists between the least active walkers and the most active walkers. The results indicate that regular walking promotes longevity.
Obviously, to take advantage of all these benefits, know that it is not the duration and total distance of the walk that influences the body and mind, it is the regularity of the practice of walking. So, favor the walk rather than the car and treat yourself to a digestive walk each evening to benefit from all these virtues!
