Walking is healthy for so many reasons. Here's one you might not have known about from the National Academy of Science: walks in nature can reduce negative thinking.
Here's the gist:
- Most of us spend more time inside than outside. Solitary, indoor work can lead to brooding, which is defined as a mental state "in which we can’t seem to stop chewing over the ways in which things are wrong with ourselves and our lives."
- Brooding is associated with increased activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex.
- Studies have shown that walks in nature reduce activity in the subgenual prefrontal cortex, leading to better moods and clearer thinking.
From a New York Times article on the study:
...The volunteers who had strolled along the quiet, tree-lined paths showed slight but meaningful improvements in their mental health, according to their scores on the questionnaire. They were not dwelling on the negative aspects of their lives as much as they had been before the walk.
Have a great day!
Jimmy
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