It has been assumed for decades that walking is good for physical health. Only recently has it been discovered that it is beneficial for so much more, including repairing the aging brain.
Many studies now report that walking helps to keep the mind sharp. It enhances memory and cognitive functions. Walking only 40 minutes a day is associated with a 2% increase in the volume of the hippocampus, one of the areas of the brain responsible for memory. Usually, the hippocampus loses 1% in volume each year after 50, so walking appears to be reversing the effects of aging.
Walking promotes large amounts of oxygenated blood to circulate in the brain and all over the body. This provides all of the nutrients that memory requires. Blood flow is crucial for good brain health and simply walking 40 minutes or more helps. Of course, there are other forms of aerobic exercises that provide the same results, like swimming, biking, and dancing, but healthcare providers should probably stick with walking at work!
Some studies have shown that when the feet hit the floor or pavement, they produce a hydraulic wave which moves upwards in the body stimulating blood through the arteries and increasing blood flow in the brain.
Our brain uses 20% of the body’s total oxygen supply, so it’s important to get as much of it into the brain throughout the day, otherwise feelings of grogginess or fogginess can occur. Some healthcare providers, who don’t necessarily walk all day, will get up and go for a walk in the late afternoon to shake off their fogginess.
Walking is good for memory, cognitive abilities, age-reversal and living a longer life. If you are a healthcare professional who walks all day long, know that you are doing great things not only for your body but for your mind and brain.