4 ms·
". When we go for a walk, the heart pumps faster, circulating more blood and oxygen not just to the muscles but to all the organs—including the brain. Many expe
by bootload 9y ago
". When we go for a walk, the heart pumps faster, circulating more blood and oxygen not just to the muscles but to all the organs—including the brain. Many experiments have shown that after or during exercise, even very mild exertion, people perform better on tests of memory and attention. Walking on a regular basis also promotes new connections between brain cells, staves off the usual withering of brain tissue that comes with age, increases the volume of the hippocampus (a brain region crucial for memory), and elevates levels of molecules that both stimulate the growth of new neurons and transmit messages between them."
New neurons. The next line about walking being easy tells me you live in a flat area with no obstacles.
"A small but growing collection of studies suggests that spending time in green spaces—gardens, parks, forests—can rejuvenate the mental resources that man-made environments deplete."
Uneven ground. I always look for uneven ground. Walking on concrete, man-made paths is the equivalent of looking at brick walls.
- femto 9y agoMaintaining balance on uneven ground also works your lower back and pelvic floor more than on a concrete path. Strengthening these can help if you have back plane (and one could argue that chronic pain is an impediment to thinking).
- kakarot 9y agoI'll have to try that, my back plane always takes off at the worst time.
- Broken_Hippo 9y ago" The next line about walking being easy tells me you live in a flat area with no obstacles." But it is pretty easy once you get muscle built up and get used to the obstacles. I live in a mountainous area. I climb a fence daily and go over a bit of land with no concrete path - though admittedly everyday walking is on concrete most times. Going out into the countryside doesn't make it any more difficult.
- 24gttghh 9y agoI actually find it more difficult to walk on flat concrete than walking on a trail with rocks and roots and leaves. I weave all over the place because there is nothing to keep my attention to where my feet are being planted.
- bootload 9y ago"is pretty easy once you get muscle built up and get used to the obstacles." There are hills, and then hills ~ https://www.flickr.com/photos/bootload/3957949381/ https://www.flickr.com/photos/bootload/3957949381/
- coldtea 9y ago>The next line about walking being easy tells me you live in a flat area with no obstacles Unless you live on a mountain-top or near minefields, walking is still very easy compared to most other options except sitting and laying on a bed. And even if you do live in such a place, it's usually pretty trivial to find a non-mountainous/non-obstacled path to walk in the surrounding area. Didn't say it has to be just next to your door.
- kirykl 9y agoPerhaps that'd be good for motor neurons. But walking on concrete paths lets your mind focus and think about new ideas without worrying about tripping on something unexpected
- eagletusk 9y agoI've managed to finish a few 1 hour runs on pavement only during races, but an hour long trail run in in the woods? I'll plan a weekend around it. In Japanese there is the concept, Forest bathing, shinrin-yoku (森林浴).
- RyanMcGreal 9y agoI love running just about anywhere (except on a treadmill, which is just intolerably drab), but my absolute favourite places to run are on forest trails. There is something indescribably beautiful, spiritual and serene/exhilarating about running through the forest. I feel a profound sense of connection with my human and hominid ancestors going back millions of years. I feel the most human when running through the woods.
- aws_ls 9y agoDon't you worry about pace, when you run? I also run a lot. And I do realize, my runs will be happier, if I don't constantly worry about pace. But can't help myself, not thinking about it. And all this despite being only a recreational runner.
- pavel_lishin 9y ago> I love running just about anywhere (except on a treadmill, which is just intolerably drab) I'm the opposite; when I do run (which isn't often, now) I would rather run on a treadmill and listen to a podcast, or just music and zone out, and not have to worry about dodging obstacles or not being able to time my run. I do love riding my bike around new places, though. I guess that's the same thing.
- mason240 9y agoYou should try orienteering. It's a land-navigation sport where you navigate a course of ordered control points, with most of the running done off trail.
- hinkley 9y agoFor a long time my epiphanies always came while crossing the street. There are obstacles even in flatland.