The British Mountaineering Council recently published an article about the benefits of walking, which inspired this write-up.
Over a hundred years ago, the conservationist John Muir wrote: "Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wilderness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life."
According to recent scientific studies there are many benefits experienced form walking. Some of these are:
Helps to reduce the pressures of work
Research
funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) studied the benefits
of accessing the outdoors by recording stress levels during and after viewing
nature in both virtual and real outdoor environments.
Studies
showed that even viewing images of nature reduced stress levels, opposed to
looking at pictures of urban environments. A further study looked into the
effects of undertaking regular walks over an eight week period. The results highlighted
that the blood pressure and stress levels of those who took part had
significantly reduced.
A
lunchtime stroll not only breaks up the working day but also helps clear the
mind, reduce work induced tension and refocus the mind ready for the afternoon.
It is said that an evening stroll can help relax the mind and body and lead to
better sleep.
Reduces Heart Disease
Reduces Heart Disease
The
Laurence Berkeley National Laboratory in California conducting a six year study
of 33,600 runners and 15,045 walkers. The results showed that both running and
walking reduced the risks of heart disease, high blood pressure and
cholesterol. However, the study highlighted that walkers who expended the same
amount of energy as runners may experience greater health benefits? Therefore,
long-distance walkers may experience further health benefits? The study also
proved that walking is a good way to help lose weight and also has benefits for
diabetes sufferers.
Improves
concentration
The
stresses of modern living, especially in an urban environment, takes its toll
on our brains. Busy jobs, increased work-loads, constant noise and activity all
contribute to brain fatigue. When the brain becomes overloaded and tired we
make mistakes, become absent-minded and irritable. One way to help our brain
relax is to simply go for a walk in the countryside.
Whether
it be wandering through a beautiful city park, strolling through a secluded
wood, meandering along quiet country lanes or hiking in the hills, the calming
effects on the mind have been recognised for many years. Being in the
countryside allows the brain to engage with our surroundings in an effortless
manner, which allows it to operate in a more relaxed state. According to Jenny
Roe, a lecturer at Heriot-Watt’s School of the Built Environment, "It’s
called involuntary attention in psychology. It holds our attention while at the
same time allowing scope for reflection".
Dr Sowden
from the School of Psychology at the University of Surrey writes: “Walking has
been shown to improve our ability to shift between modes of thought, and to
improve our attention, memory and recovery from mental fatigue, all of which
are important for thinking creatively”. What’s more, “walking exposes us to the
constant flux of a changing environment providing us with an endless array of
new and unique experiences, which combined with our past memories may, through
serendipity alone, provoke new associations and give birth to new ideas”.
The
freedom of walking, allows our brains to relax and switch off from the day-to-day
thought processes of work, driving the car and fast living. When walking in
nature we often drift off into a relaxed almost meditative state, allowing us
time to reflect and ponder on thoughts and ideas that are normally filed in the
brains ‘for later attention’ area. It is when we are in this most relaxed state
that we are most creative. I myself can vouch for this, as it is when I am out
walking that I develop new ideas for my writing and plan future book titles
Nietzsche wrote, “All truly great thoughts are
conceived by walking.” Henry Thoreau also said, “Methinks the moment my legs
begin to move, my thoughts begin to flow”.
It is
recognised that walking and other forms of physical exercise can have a
significant effect on reducing depression. The University of Stirling conducted
a study of 341 patients to highlight the benefits of exercise on emotional
wellbeing. The study indicated that brisk walking was one form of, “an
effective intervention for depression". The Chief Executive for the mental
health charity, MIND, says, "Exercising with others can have even greater
impact, as it provides an opportunity to strengthen social networks, talk
through problems with others or simply laugh and enjoy a break from family and
work. So ask a friend to join you."
Some
scientists and psychologists believe that physical exercise can be as effective
as medication for treating depression and improving emotional wellbeing. A
study of 202 men and women, conducted over a 4 month period, found that 45% of
patients diagnosed with major depression showed significantly reduced levels of
depression after exercising three times a week in a supervised group setting.
Being
outdoors in the sun produces the required daily amount of Vitamin D in your body and increases serotonin levels,
which in turn increases your bodies leptin levels.
Regular outdoor exercise increases energy levels whilst reducing stress and
tension.
Whilst
people enjoy walking for a wealth of different reason, the benefits for
physical and emotional wellbeing are clearly evident. No matter where you live
in the UK there are areas of quiet green space lace-up through which you can
stroll, relax and unwind. So, lace-up your walking boots, step out the front door
and reap the benefits of walking in the great outdoors.
