The Science of Walking

As I promised, I will share with you information about the benefits of walking that I have been reading about. Because, for me, nothing truly helps in relieving stress like taking a walk in the park and disconnecting during that time or having a deep conversation with my husband while walking. That’s why I was particularly interested in this topic, exploring how it affects us and what the benefits are. 

Shane O’Mara is Professor of Experimental Brain Research at Trinity College Dublin – the University of Dublin and  also the author of “In Praise of Walking.” Within this book he spill the beans on a simple, 10-minute hack that can totally change your life.

Professor O’Mara, shows us how walking isn’t just about moving your legs. It can actually make you happier, more creative, and better at solving problems. 

->The act of walking stimulates the release of endorphins, our body’s natural mood lifters. A daily walk can be a simple yet effective strategy to combat stress and anxiety.  

->Walking has been linked to increased creativity, providing a mental reset that allows ideas to flow more freely.

-> Nature walks, in particular, have been associated with decreased stress levels. The combination of fresh air and natural surroundings can be a powerful antidote to daily stressors.

This stems from the three walking styles that exist. Each style does something special: one boosts creativity, another amps up productivity, and the third turns you into a problem-solving superstar.

Walking not only contributes to muscular and postural health but also serves as a safeguard for vital organs, potentially mitigating age-related brain aging.

Author underscores the social dimension of walking together as a crucial aspect of our species’ survival. In an era marked by sedentary lifestyles, O’Mara advocates for a return to walking – be it up a mountain, through a park, or simply commuting to school or work. 

Therefore, keep in mind that 10 minutes of walking a day can make a huge difference. Really give it a try before dismissing the idea. I’m especially saying this for people whose work is tied to a laptop, like mine, and who sit all day. Take that first step; let it be one of your goals for 2024, and let me know how you’re progressing and if you feel any changes.

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Nauka o Hodanju

Kao sto sam obecala, podelicu sa vama informacije o benefitima setnje/hodanja o kojoj sam citala. Jer meni zaista nista ne pomaze u otklanjanju stresa nego kada prosetam parkom i iskljucim se tokom tog perioda ili porazgovaram tokom setnje sa muzem. Zato sam narocito bila zainteresovana za ovu temu, kako utice na nas i koji su benefiti.

Shane O’Mara je profesor eksperimentalnog istrazivanja mozga na Trinity koledzu u Dablinu – Univerzitet u Dablinu i autor je knjige “U slavu hodanja”. Tu otkriva jednostavan trik od 10 minuta koji moze potpuno promeniti zivot.

Profesor O’Mara pokazuje da hodanje nije tako jednostavno kao sto mi cesto zanemarujemo i mehanicki radimo. Nego vas zaista uciniti srecnijim, kreativnijim i boljim u redavanju problema.

-> Hodanje stimulise oslobađanje endorfina, prirodnih podizaca raspolozenja u nasem telu. Dnevna setnja moze biti jednostavna, ali efikasna strategija za borbu protiv stresa i anksioznosti.

-> Hodanje je povezano s povecanom kreativnoscu, pruzajuci preko potrebnj mentalni reset koji omogucava idejama da slobodnije teku.

-> Setnje u prirodi, posebno, su povezane s smanjenjem nivoa stresa. Kombinacija svezeg vazduha i prirodnog okruzenja moze biti mocan lek protiv svakodnevnih izazova.

Ovo proizilazi zapravo iz tri stila hodanja koja postoje. Svaki stil vam donosi nesto posebno: jedan poboljsava kreativnost, drugi povecava produktivnost, a treci vas pretvara u superheroja za resavanje problema.

Hodanje ne doprinosi samo misicnom i posturalnom zdravlju, vec takođe stiti vitalne organe, i potencijalno ublazava i usporava starenje mozga.

Autor istice i socijalnu dimenziju zajedničkog hodanja kao kljucni aspekt opstanka nase vrste. U eri obelezenoj sedentarnim nacinom zivota, O’Mara zagovara povratak hodanju – bilo da je rec o penjanju na planinu, setnju kroz park ili jednostavnom putovanju do skole ili posla.

Stoga imajte na umu da 10 minuta hodanja dnevno moze napraviti ogromnu razliku. Zaista pokusajte, pre nego odmahnete glavom. Ovo narocito govorim za ljude ciji je posao vezan za laptop, kao sto je moj i presede ceo dan. Napravite taj prvi korak, neka to bude jedan od ciljeva za 2024 i javite mi kako napredujete i osetite li neke promene.