Incorporating walking in
your daily routine can offer many health and wellness benefits for your body.
However, research shows that the setting in which your walk takes place can
increase the benefits of your workout.
A study which asked
participants to go for walks in both urban and rural settings found that those
who returned form walks in a natural or rural setting scored 20% higher when
their memories and attention spans were tested. The participants who
participated in an urban walk showed no major improvements in their brain
functions.
The reason for these
differences is that a natural scenic route allows your mind to take a break and
relax. As you walk, your brain forgets about your worries and stresses and lets
your mind wander. Afterwards, your brain is able to focus and think more
clearly. Walking in the city offers
little mental relaxation as your mind stays in overload mode as you try to
navigate through your busy surroundings, avoiding cars, signs, and other
pedestrians along your way.
So go for a walk in nature when you
have the chance, and enjoy the benefits of letting your mind and body relax.
No comments:
Post a Comment