Above all, do not lose your desire to walk. Every day I walk myself into a state of wellbeing and walk away from every illness; I have walked myself into my best thoughts, and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.
– Søren Kierkegaard, Kierkegaard’s Writings, XXV: Letters and Documents, 1847
Hippocrates said, "walking is man's best medicine". The physical health benefits of regular walking are well documented. They include reducing risks of heart disease, stroke and obesity, among other physical illnesses and maintaining or improving sleep, among many other benefits. Walking also helps us manage our stress responses by supporting the balance between the fight or flight and rest and repair branches of the central nervous system. Given these many benefits, current public health recommendations suggest at least 150-minutes of physical activity across the week.
Perhaps less common public knowledge is the role of physical activity in brain health and mental health. If you need a mood boost, walking can enhance how you feel and alleviate anxiety. If you need a brain boost, going for a walk can improve your ability to focus on tasks and solve problems. Regular physical activity also has a role in enhancing thought processing in older adults, reducing the risk of developing dementia and benefitting people with dementia. Studies also show a relationship between walking and the brain's ability to grow and rewire across the life span.
The message is clear: get moving if you want to improve your physical, brain and mental health. If you want to turbo-charge the experience, an equally vast body of research shows that walking in nature amplifies these benefits.
I cannot preserve my health and spirits unless I spend four hours a day at least, and it is commonly more than that, sauntering through the woods and over the hills and fields – Henry David Thoreau, 1851
Wellbeing science highlights further possibilities to enhance our health and wellbeing.
The World Health Organisation defines health as a complete state of physical health and social, emotional and psychological wellbeing, more than the absence of disease or infirmity. Psychologist Corey Keyes adopts this 'more' than view and presents wellbeing as a dual mental health continuum: a mentally healthy person can span from low wellbeing (languishing) to high wellbeing (flourishing).
Positive psychology scientifically studies wellbeing and how to enhance it through two broad fields of investigation. One stream views wellbeing as positive feelings, happiness and satisfaction with life. The other stream focuses on human strengths and our capacity to adapt and grow throughout life. These views are complementary and interwoven within lived experience. The great news is that wellbeing is dynamic, and a wide range of evidence-based intentional activities and strategies can guide individuals towards flourishing.
Walking in nature helps people to feel better, focus their thoughts and think creatively – what we might call optimal preconditions for learning.
Time to get walking!
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