Go For A Walk And Clear Your Head

In the last few generations, we have become radically sedentary.

Jobs keep us stuck at a desk all day long, machines do our heavy lifting, and phones and other gadgets mean we can do almost anything, all without moving.

We’ve disconnected from our bodies to the extent that, often, we only notice them when they go wrong. We’re detaching from a pivotal process and doing more of the things that are harmful for our brains.

Sit at work, come home and sit, go to bed late, wake up, drive to work – seated – and sit again. Eat, sleep, sit, repeat. It’s easy. But the connection between your brain and your body is a “two-way street.” Working your legs can work your grey matter; if you’re feeling down, it might behove you to move.

There are numerous mental health benefits related to movement, and that’s not even just exercise. We all know, intellectually, that exercise is good for us, and it’s time to turn intellectual into action. The truth is that whatever your lifestyle: there is always an opportunity to move.

When we do move our body, energy flows through it, our bodily systems are activated, which makes us function well, and our brain generates various happy hormones (transmitters) that make us feel good.

Just like food nourishes the body and brain, so does movement! And, intellectually, we can list the benefits:

• Improved circulation

• Improved metabolism

• Improved clarity

• Improved mood

• Improved resilience

But what we really need to do is get going. It’s about putting one foot in front of the other, over and over, until it becomes habit. Endeavour to take a morning or afternoon walk, cycle to work, hop up from your desk and go for a little cruise around the office. Getting started is the hardest part.

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