8 Proven Ways Walking Improves Your Brain!!

8 Proven Ways Walking Improves Your Brain

It might surprise you to hear that something as simple as walking can actually
improve your brainpower. It doesn’t even have to be full-on power walking!
Even a twenty- or thirty-minute walk during your lunch break can have a
positive impact on your brain. Here are eight ways science has proven that
walking is excellent for your brain.
1. Walking Helps Lower Your Risk of Depression
Walking is an excellent way to improve your mental health. A 2018 study
showed that any kind of moderate aerobic exercise like brisk walking can boost
your brain health and lower your risk of developing depression by a third.
2. Walking Improve Your Cognitive Function
A number of studies have shown that the magic amount of twenty to thirty
minutes of daily aerobic exercise, such as walking, improves cognitive function
and memory.
3. Walking Stimulates Endorphins
Just ten minutes of walking is enough to start your brain releasing endorphins,
the brain chemicals that lower stress, boost your mental health, and make you
feel good. You’ve heard of the runner’s high? Well, you can get a similar
positive rush from a brisk walk!
4. Walking Releases the Brain’s Magic Protein
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) has been dubbed the brain’s ‘magic
protein’ as it helps to rewire and build new neural pathways. Scientists believe
it can even help lower your risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. And cardiovascular
exercise is an easy way to stimulate the production of BDNF and keep your
brain in peak condition.

5. Walking Lowers Physical and Mental Fatigue
A 2008 study by the University of Georgia found that just three sessions a
week of a low-intensity exercise like walking can reduce fatigue levels by as
much as 65 percent.
6. Walking Builds Hippocampus Strength
Your hippocampus is the key part of the brain for forming and storing
memories. Research has shown that even brief walks can actually increase the
size and efficiency of your hippocampus.
7. Walking Improves Creativity
Artists, writers, and philosophers have long known the importance of walking
for clearing blocked creativity and getting inspiration flowing again. Science
can now back this up with a 2014 study by Stanford University showing that
walking increases your creative output by up to sixty percent.
8. Walking Increases Blood Flow to the Brain
Blood is vital for every organ in your body, not least of all, your brain. That
magic twenty minutes is all it takes to increase the blood flow to your brain to
keep it active and healthy.