Feel Better, Live More with Dr Rangan Chatterjee BITESIZE | How Walking Improves Our Brain and Mental Health | Shane O’Mara #160
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Feb 26, 2021 Walking is more than just exercise; it's a powerful tool for enhancing brain health and mental well-being. Research shows that even a 20-minute stroll can uplift mood and spark creativity. The hippocampus benefits significantly from regular walks, improving memory and cognitive function, no matter your age. It's highlighted that creativity doesn’t diminish with time—walking can actually boost it! Embracing this simple yet effective activity can lead to lasting improvements in both mental and physical health.
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Walking and Mood
- People consistently underestimate a walk's positive impact on their mood.
- Studies reveal that even those who dislike walking experience mood elevation after a 20-minute walk.
Brain Plasticity and Walking
- The brain, like a muscle, exhibits plasticity, growing with use and atrophying with disuse.
- Walking, a form of aerobic exercise, increases hippocampal volume and improves its functions, demonstrably enhancing memory and attention.
Art Kramer Study
- A study by Art Kramer showed that walking three times a week, for about a mile and a half, improved memory and attention in participants in their early 70s.
- It increased hippocampal volume and BDNF levels, effectively reversing the functional aging of the brain compared to a sedentary control group.