The Mel Robbins Podcast – The Shocking Science and Benefits of Taking a Simple Walk: Research From Oxford-Trained Neuroscientist Dr. Shane O’Mara

Intro

In this episode of “The Mel Robbins Podcast,” host Mel Robbins interviews Dr. Shane O’Mara, an Oxford-trained neuroscientist, about the shocking science and benefits of taking a simple walk. Dr. O’Mara shares his research on how walking can improve resilience, creativity, longevity, and overall well-being. He also discusses the additional benefits of walking in nature and the importance of designing environments that promote physical activity. If you want to learn how walking can positively impact your body and brain, this episode is for you.

Main Takeaways

Walking for Physical Health

• Walking helps build resilience in individuals who are regularly active.
• Movement is medicine and can improve overall health and well-being.
• Walking can increase longevity and prevent cognitive decline in older adults.
• Walking can help build the body and brain to cope with illnesses and reduce the risk of succumbing to them.
• Walking challenges the brain to orient the body, calibrate walking speed, and respond to physical demands, making it a good exercise for the brain and body.

Walking for Creativity and Problem-Solving

• Walking can improve creativity and problem-solving abilities.
• Walking facilitates creative thinking by spurring ideas that may not happen while sedentary.
• Walking helps build a cognitive map of the environment, facilitating learning and memory.
• Walking boosts default activity in the brain, leading to increased creativity.
• Walking can increase creativity two times by boosting the default activity in the brain.

Walking in Nature

• Walking in nature has additional benefits such as reducing stress and improving mood.
• Walking in a nice suburban environment with trees can give humans a connection to nature and a chance to engage in creative ideation.
• Walking in a stressful environment, such as near a freeway, is unpleasant and not beneficial.
• Walking in a natural environment can positively impact well-being and boost mood.

Walking for Mental Health

• Walking boosts mood in an enduring way, even short walks can give a boost to how well people feel.
• Walking in nature is very beneficial for mental health, stress hormones start to fall and creative thinking can be engaged.
• People who move the least are most likely to succumb to major depressive disorder, according to a large scale Australian study.
• Walking alone can enhance creativity and problem-solving abilities.
• Walking alone can combat feelings of isolation and increase a sense of connection.

Walking for Overall Well-being

• Walking regularly can lead to long-term health benefits, including a reduced risk of chronic diseases.
• Walking can improve clarity of thinking and provide social benefits.
• Walking can help reduce inflammation and improve back pain without relying on medication.
• Walking at a fast pace is better for enhancing heart health than jogging slowly.
• Walking at a slower pace can be helpful for creative thinking and problem-solving.

Summary

Walking for Physical and Mental Health

Walking is not only beneficial for physical health but also for mental well-being. Regular walking can improve resilience, longevity, and cognitive function. It challenges the brain and body, building resilience and coping mechanisms. Walking in nature has additional benefits, reducing stress and improving mood. It can combat feelings of isolation and enhance creativity and problem-solving abilities. Walking alone or with others can create a sense of connection and shared experiences.

Walking for Creativity and Problem-Solving

Walking is a powerful tool for boosting creativity and problem-solving. It facilitates creative thinking by spurring new ideas and helps build a cognitive map of the environment, enhancing learning and memory. Walking in nature can further enhance creative ideation. It boosts default activity in the brain, leading to increased creativity. Taking a walk without actively thinking about a problem can help discover new associations and connections, improving problem-solving abilities.

Walking for Overall Well-being

Walking regularly has numerous long-term health benefits. It reduces the risk of chronic diseases, improves heart health, and helps combat inflammation and back pain. Walking at different paces can be beneficial for different purposes, such as enhancing heart health or engaging in creative thinking. Walking is a simple, low-cost way to improve both physical and mental health. It is an intrinsically social activity that can bring pleasure and improve synchronization with others.

Conclusion

Walking is a powerful form of movement medicine that can positively impact both the body and brain. It offers a wide range of benefits, including improved resilience, creativity, longevity, and overall well-being. Whether you prefer walking alone or with others, in nature or in a suburban environment, incorporating regular walks into your routine can lead to significant improvements in your physical and mental health. So, put on your walking shoes and start reaping the benefits of this simple yet transformative activity.