Surprising Walking Benefits REVEALED
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted March 30, 2023
We live in a fast-paced society. And we’re expected to keep the pedal to the metal at work and fill the little leisure time we allow ourselves with as many activities as possible…
We demand a 24/7 news cycle, instant updates on our phones, and lightning-fast internet speeds…
In a culture where most people judge their worth by how much they get done, it’s easy to see how taking a walk would be considered a waste of time.
But NOTHING could be further from the truth.
There’s a TON of evidence that walking is good for your health, mind, and creativity.
Walking is a natural way to reduce stress, improve sleep, lift your mood, boost digestion, lower blood sugar, and burn some extra calories.
An hour-long walk in nature literally reduces activity in brain regions involved with stress processing.
You can learn a lot about yourself when out for a stroll. Walking alone, I pay more attention to what’s happening inside AND around me than when I’m in a car, separated from the outside world.
In fact, I believe walking is just as good as therapy in many ways. And there’s research to back that up.
In a meta-analysis, researchers found that walking had a “favorable effect on body awareness, fear, anxiety, and mood.” And a recent study focusing on older adults revealed that moderate to vigorous leisure walking can improve mental health and health perceptions.
But walking with someone else has BIG benefits too. You learn a lot about yourself and your walking partner when you head out for a stroll together. It’s a terrific relationship builder.
When folks ask how my wife and I have stayed married for so long (31 years), I always say it’s because we go on walks together. It allows us to check in with each other, talk about life, and decompress.
And we enjoy sharing our delight over the little things we encounter along the way, like a bird in a tree, a small flower peeking through the sidewalk, or catching up with a neighbor we haven’t seen in a while.
So, lace up those shoes and head out alone OR with a good friend. Your mental and physical health will improve. And you’ll find a lot of wonderful things out there!
P.S. Walking can descrease your risk of early death by up to 67 percent! Find out exactly how long your strolls need to be to get this incredible life-extending benefit RIGHT HERE. (It’s not NEARLY as much as you might imagine.)
Sources:
“A Systematic Scoping Review of the Conceptualization of Long-Distance Walking and Its Relation to Mental Health.” Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jul 21;18(15):7741. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18157741. PMID: 34360035; PMCID: PMC8345809.
“A Study of Leisure Walking Intensity Levels on Mental Health and Health Perception of Older Adults.” Gerontology and Geriatric Medicine. 2021;7. doi:10.1177/2333721421999316
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Why Your Muscles Are Your Brain's Best Defense
Forget expensive brain scans and head-scratching cognitive tests that make you feel like you’re back in school. Japanese researchers have stumbled onto something that could change how we screen for memory problems—and it’s so simple, you’ll wonder why nobody thought of it sooner. A quick, painless measurement you can get during a routine checkup might...
Four Carbs that Could Add YEARS to Your Life
You’ve likely been avoiding carbs like the plague. Health gurus, fitness influencers, and diet books have convinced you that carbs are the enemy—that they spike your blood sugar, pack on pounds, and fast-track you to diabetes. So you’ve eliminated bread, sworn off pasta, and feel guilty just touching a piece of fruit. But what if...
Upgrade from Bananas and Apples to These Powerhouse Fruits
I’m often asked which fruits are the best. So, let’s talk about it. I’ll cut right to the chase: berries win this contest hands down. If you’re limiting your options to apples and bananas, you’re missing out on a universe of superior antioxidant power. Those everyday fruits are like bringing a knife to a gunfight...
The REAL Reason Americans are Getting “Fatter”
You’ve heard it a thousand times: “Americans are getting fatter because we’re lazy.” We sit at desks all day. We binge-watch Netflix instead of hitting the gym. We’ve traded physical labor for sedentary lifestyles. It’s a tidy explanation for why obesity has skyrocketed in developed countries. There’s just one problem—it’s completely wrong… A groundbreaking Duke...
Mailbag: Room Won't Stop Spinning? Do THIS First
“I’m dealing with vertigo issues, lightheadedness, and dizziness. As recently as this last Saturday I had multiple occurrences throughout the day. Is there anything I can do for this? I’m 69 and in good health. I work out 4 to 5 times a week.” —Spinning Hi Spinning, When patients approach me with similar complaints, I...
Hidden Number Secretly Sabotages Male Performance
Guys (and gals that love them), we should talk. You know how we’ve always been told that bedroom troubles are just part of getting older—that we just need to live with them? Well, it turns out that’s not true. Scientists recently wrapped up a six-year study that followed over 100 healthy men, and the findings...
Shocking Study Links Kids' Snacks to Dangerous Early Puberty
Kids are growing up in a world vastly different from the one we knew. Back in our day, if a child wanted something sweet, it was a piece of candy or a homemade cookie. Today’s kids are surrounded by products filled with artificial sweeteners that didn’t even exist when we were raising our own children....
Outdated Vitamin Guidelines Put Your Brain at Risk
If you’re like most people, you probably don’t think twice about vitamin B12—until your doctor mentions it during a routine blood test. But new research published in the Annals of Neurology suggests we need to pay closer attention to this crucial nutrient—especially as we age. Turns out, current guidelines for this essential nutrient might be...
The TRUTH About Supplement "Liver Dangers" REVEALED
There’s been a lot of buzz lately about liver damage from supplements—so, let’s talk about it. Reports of supplement-induced liver injuries have some folks wondering, “Could my natural remedy actually be harming me?” But before you toss all your supplements in the trash, let’s separate fact from fear—and talk about how to use supplements safely....
The 10,000 Steps LIE That's Ruining Your Health
I’ll be honest—I’m a little sick of the 10,000-steps theory. You know, the one that insists you need to take at least that many steps daily to stay healthy? You won’t believe where that claim originally came from. The 10,000-steps theory wasn’t handed down from the fitness gods on stone tablets. It originated from a...