To date, at least 20-25 minutes of walking outdoors; We have read, heard and talked about its positive effects on circulation, nervous and immune systems, cognitive development and mental health.
0Today, we will consider the effects of walking outdoors from a different perspective.
According to the results of the research conducted at Stanford University; It has been revealed that people think more creatively while walking than sitting. In fact, it has been determined that the state of being inspired by new ideas and thinking creatively continues after the walk.
Throughout the ages, important names of history (Nietzsche, Aristotle, Kant, Breuer and Freud), including known philosophers and physicians, referred to the relationship between walking and thinking clearly, and they themselves received support from the long walks they took for creativity in their professional lives.
If you say how the brain functionality develops with walking and it automatically reflects on mental health; I would say it all has to do with brain chemicals. If you consistently take a walk in the open air for at least 20-25 minutes every day, you are releasing the chemicals serotonin and endorphins in the brain. In the release of these two brain chemicals; we can tangibly observe the life energy, vitality, happiness and natural pain relief effect.
These neurotransmitters, which you can secrete with regular walking, are included in the drugs prescribed for depression and some high anxiety situations.
As for the creative thinking part, maybe you want to be different in your profession or in your private life and surprise others in a positive way.
While some personality traits (for example, being open to innovation) will support creative thinking, it is possible to reach such an efficiency with short walks. When you have difficulties with your work or relationships and you feel stuck, you can go for a walk outdoors. Walking can help relax the mind and allow you to see things from a different perspective.
There are also studies on the fact that walking, which is considered a moderate activity, raises the mood as it provides body activation. The most important point when walking for creative thinking; It is to be alone with yourself by taking small breaks in between, with your own rhythm, at a pace that does not tire you but keeps you active. When you walk with others, you try to keep up with their rhythm; This causes a decrease in productivity. Of course, sometimes taking fun and enjoyable walks can also make you feel good.
As in all matters, it is essential that you can provide the balance in this matter. If you are in the decision-making process, are very confused and want inspiration, you can get up and go outside instead of sitting and thinking; It is unlikely that you will enter the whirlpool of thought while walking. You can think of the thought vortex as mental rumination; Rumination in psychology is the name of the same obsessive thoughts and difficult memories coming in the mind and feeling uncomfortable with this.
The reason why walking protects us from rumination is because it is a multitude of stimuli and an extremely mindful (conscious and aware) action. Even if we are stuck in a thought, it is not possible for our minds to be stuck in the face of the people or vehicles passing by us, the temperature and smell of the air, the sounds in the environment and the scenery.
This is exactly why you should exercise regularly and walk outdoors to mentally cure obsessive thoughts.
Bringing the mind to that position is possible with active effort. For this, you can make outdoor walks a lifestyle as the first step.
When depressed clients apply, we certainly work to provide behavioral activation in small steps. Outdoor walks play an important role in supporting the sessions in the treatment protocol in psychotherapy.
If you sleep 7 hours of 24 hours and work 8 hours, the remaining 9 hours are; Only taking 1 hour for yourself protects your mental health. Your lifelong, longest relationship will be with yourself, that's why you don't have 1 hour to spend with yourself?
I wish you health and well-being.