Inspired by the top stepping achievements of Urban Silk’s new brand ambassador, Kate Cross (who aims for 20,000 steps a day!), this week I’ve been exploring the super power of walking.
So what’s so ‘super’ about walking, I hear you ask? Not only does walking have physical benefits, helping our hearts and lungs as well as our posture and muscles, walking is proven to boost our brain power too. Here’s how:
1. Combat Stress and Depression
While not a proven treatment for those already suffering with major depressive disorders, scientific studies have shown that those who walk more are less likely to succumb to depression.
Known for its mood-boosting benefits, walking can also help build up your immunity to depressive disorders.
2. Reverse Mental Ageing
Helping stimulate the areas of our brains that learn, understand and remember things, neuroscientists now believe that walking can actually reverse the functional ageing of the brain!
3. Boost Creativity and Problem Solving
We perform better if we walk before doing a task. Just 5-10 minutes of activity before starting a creative task will help you generate twice as many ideas.
Professor Shane O’Mara, a neuroscientist at Trinity College Dublin, believes the rhythm of walking encourages your brain to flick between task-focused thinking and the bigger picture which enables it to better solve problems.
No Gym Required!
As our lives grow increasingly inactive, whether it's because we’re sitting at desks all day, the fact we can all drive wherever we want to go or because Netflix has a new must-see series out, adding in a few gym sessions a week is not always enough to counter the impact of our stationary lifestyles.
Dr Rangan Chatterjee in his Feel Better, Live More podcast, recommends upping our activity levels over the course of the day to really feel an improvement.
Walking is inclusive, regardless of our fitness levels. We may not all be runners but we can all be walkers.
Walking also promises a lower rate of injury - when running, the risk of injury increases per million steps run while with walking, the risk stays at a flat rate.
Simple Steps
Simple steps can make a big difference - Dr Chatterjee suggests taking the stairs instead of lift or escalator - make it a habit and it can change your whole mindset!
So put on your activewear (or Urban Silk leisurewear, as I prefer) and step up for a brighter you! Shop our active styles now >
By Gail
Discover more about the power of walking in episode #271 of Dr Chatterjee’s Feel Better Live Well podcast, Why Walking Is The Superpower You Didn’t Know You Had.
Or read up on the subject in this interview with Shane O’Mara or check out his book ‘In Praise Of Walking.’