Every step helps
“Anyone coming for a walk?” We hear this question almost every day at our office. Most afternoons, we take a stroll after lunch. Especially now that the sun is making a more regular appearance, it is lovely to get outside for a while. We chat a lot as we walk. Professor of neuropsychology Erik Scherder describes walking together as a social activity for good reason. According to him, a walk can take a conversation a little deeper than usual. He links this to the uncinate fasciculus, the connection between the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Already active as you navigate while walking, it also plays a role in empathy. This can help you connect with the story a colleague is sharing. Walking is therefore a good way to get to know one another better, but it has other benefits too.
More creativity
A short walk can make you more creative, particularly when it comes to solving problems, research suggests. Our work and smartphones demand attention throughout the day, putting pressure on our cognitive resources. During a walk, that pressure can ease for a while. As your mind relaxes, a solution may suddenly emerge to the problem you have been wrestling with all morning. You are no longer so focused on the problem itself, while your brain can still work on it in the background. So why not turn your next brainstorming session into a walk? It could lead to surprising new ideas.
A fresh perspective
You probably recognise the feeling: it is getting late in the afternoon and your concentration starts to slip. Another coffee, perhaps? Gradually, you still begin to flag. Your thoughts wander and it becomes difficult to focus on that one tedious task. Try taking a stroll. It can help clear the sluggish feeling and let you return with renewed energy.
A better mood
Various studies have also found that walking can help reduce symptoms of depression, as well as sleep problems and anxiety. Walking is associated with the calming neurotransmitter GABA. Among the many suggestions for managing stress, it may therefore be a particularly effective one. Physical activity can also stimulate the release of endorphins, which are associated with a sense of wellbeing. A better mood is good news for you and your colleagues.
Good for your health
Finally, walking every day can have a positive effect on your blood pressure, according to an Australian study. A daily 30-minute walk can also support cardiovascular health and your immune system, while helping you burn calories.
Of course, we understand that you may not have time for a lunchtime stroll every day. But with the phrase “sitting is the new smoking” in mind, there are other ways to move more: walk while taking a phone call, work at a standing desk, make an extra trip to the coffee or tea machine, take the stairs, walk over to a colleague instead of sending an email, or even schedule a walking meeting.
Finished reading? Time to stretch your legs!
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