Did you know that walking is one of the best things you can do for your brain health? In fact, research shows that walking enough steps every day can improve your cognitive function and memory. It can also help fight off brain fog and keep your mind sharp as you age. If you’re looking for a way to improve your brain health, look no further than walking!
We already hear it all the time how walking is great for your body. Walking is great for losing a few extra pounds. Well, as with most things about the human body, it’s not that simple. Walking is actually beneficial in a lot of ways. For example, did you know that walking can improve your brain health?
Big Brain Benefits of Walking
A recent study found that subjects who walked more than 4,000 steps per day had healthier brain tissue in the areas of the brain responsible for memory, as well as better cognitive function, than those who walked fewer than 4,000 steps per day. Walking can help to improve blood circulation and oxygenation to the brain, which can help to protect against Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia. In addition, walking can help to reduce stress and anxiety, and improve mood and sleep quality.
Yes walking seems like too simple of an activity to have some many benefits, but when you look at human history, it makes a lot of sense. Our ancestors had to do a lot of walking in the search of food as hunter/gatherers. Even with agriculture and animal domestication, humans had to walk a lot. In the grand scheme of things, it hasn’t been that long since humans put the effort of walking off on animals or machines.
How much do you need to walk for your brain?
So, how many steps per day do you need to walk to fight brain fog and keep your mind sharp? According to research, you should aim for at least 10,000 steps per day. That may sound like a lot, but it’s actually not as difficult as it sounds. If you break it down, that’s just about 500 steps per hour. You can easily hit that number by taking a brisk walk around your neighborhood or going for a light jog. And, if you don’t have time for a long walk or jog, even just taking a few minutes to walk up and down the stairs can help improve your brain health.
Just 30 minutes a day can help to increase your energy levels, reduce stress, and improve your overall fitness. And, if you can’t fit in a full 30 minutes, don’t worry – even 10 minutes is better than nothing. The key is to make walking a part of your daily routine. That way, it will become second nature and you’ll be more likely to stick with it in the long run. There are plenty of ways to fit in extra walking time, no matter what your lifestyle is like. If you live in a more urban environment, you can walk to the same telephone pole every day and make a ritual out of it. Or, if you live in a rural area, you can use walking as an opportunity to call and check in on someone you love. No matter what you do, remember that practice makes mastery. The more you walk, the better you’ll get at it – and the more benefits you’ll see.
