Walking isn’t just about getting from A to B. Walking is a brain boost! Big thinkers like Thoreau, Nietzsche, and Kant noted the many benefits of going for a walk. They didn’t just stroll for the fun of it. They walked their way to genius, clarity, and maybe even six-pack abs (okay, maybe not). Who needs magic when you’ve got sneakers and a solid playlist?
They say Beethoven carried a pencil and sheets of music paper with him on long walks, capturing new musical ideas that came to him.
Hands up if you park as close as humanly possible to the entrance of your Virgin Active club just to avoid taking those 25 extra steps… Guilty as charged, your Honour.
We all know the physical benefits of walking… increased cardiovascular and pulmonary fitness, reduced risk of stroke and heart disease and it works wonders on high blood pressure, high cholesterol and muscular/joint issues.
But what about the lesser-known facts and benefits? How does putting one foot in front of another bring us Yoda-levels of clarity, creativity and consciousness?
Here are our favourite ways to give your next walk a wellness-inspired edge.
The creative art of ambling
Stanford researchers found that walking boosts creative inspiration. They examined creativity levels of people while they walked versus while they sat. A person’s creative output increased by an average of 60% when walking. So, fire up the Notes App and get brainstorming that next business empire.
10,000 steps se voet
The 10,000 steps theory says we should all be aiming for 10,000 steps daily for our general health and wellbeing. However, the arbitrary number originally comes from a successful Japanese campaign in the 60’s! Research shows that anything up from 6,000 is enough to reap the benefits so don’t be too hard on yourself on the days you don’t hit big numbers… every step counts.
Barefoot is better
Walking kaalvoet at the mall is not cool if you’re over the age of four. However, walking barefoot in nature can reduce cortisol and inflammation, increase energy and healing speed… all while restoring natural balance in the body. So, kick off those takkies when it’s safe to do so and move naturally like our bodies were designed to.
Walking = moving meditation
You don’t need to splash that hard earned cash on some bougee retreat to cultivate mindfulness. The next time you’re enjoying a walk, engage your senses along the way. Observe the subtle vibrating sensation of the ground meeting your feet. What can you smell? What can you hear? Practice deep breathing as you go. Breathing in for 4-6 steps and then exhaling for 4-6 steps.
Jump on the Trendmill
In 2019, Influencer Lauren Giraldo shared her 12-3-30 walking routine that swiftly broke the Internet and has been viewed approx. 5-gazillion times to date. Arguing that it was her way of combatting the sheer overwhelm she felt at gym trying to figure out all the different machines. The technique is simple… Walk for 30 minutes on an incline of 12% at 3 miles per hour (that’s 4.8km/h in Rainbow Nation numericals). So next time you’re in club and feel like doing something simple but effective, give it a try – slowly working your way up if you’re a power walking newbie.
Walk on the wild side, inside
Sometimes a long, leisurely walk in nature just isn’t feasible due to safety concerns, seasonal barriers or whatever nonsense working and adulting is demanding from you this week. But that doesn’t mean you can’t bring the great outdoors. Find a blissful nature sounds playlist and get lost in the rainforest, while never leaving the cardio floor.
Whether you’re enjoying an active rest day or starting your running journey from scratch, walking works wonders. It’s the perfect low-impact movement that gives your whole system a relaxing reset.
Next time you’re running on empty, slow down and smell the jasmine, the world’s moving too fast anyway.
Are you looking for more, like personalised expert advice, or do you lack a great route to walk outdoors? Take your complete wellness to the next level at a Virgin Active near you.