Skip to main content

Study finds walking could turn back the clock for your brain by this many years

There are plenty of reasons to put one foot in front of the other and head out the door

Man jogging brisk walking outdoors in nature
Latam / Pexels

Walking brings a whole host of benefits, from breathing in the fresh air to improving your sleep quality and moving your muscles and joints. Your mood will likely be better after your walk, which could make the day ahead more productive. Research has shown that a brief 10-minute walk can lower your blood pressure, so there are plenty of reasons to put one foot in front of the other and head out the door. A new study reveals that walking could make your brain this many years younger. Let’s take a look at the study.

The study

man walking across crosswalk outside in city on stree
Wassim Chouak / Unsplash

In the study published in the Annals of Behavioral Medicine, the researchers set out to determine the health impacts of everyday physical activities, including walking regularly and doing chores. The 204 participants answered questions on their phones during a nine-day study. They checked in six times every day, around every 3.5 hours.

Recommended Videos

Participants reported if they had been physically active since their last check-in. They categorized the exercise as light, moderate, or vigorous. Light exercise included walking, whereas the vigorous exercise category included hiking. Next, the participants played two brain games that assessed their working memory and cognitive processing speed.

The study results

Man wearing hat walking through winding hiking trail
Norbert Buduczki / Unsplash

The researchers concluded that when people were physically active at some point during the last 3.5 hours, their processing speeds were the same as someone four years younger. This also applied even with light exercise. The researchers found that “engaging in everyday physical activity of any intensity level could have short-term, acute benefits for cognitive health.” In this interesting study, walking and being physically active in the last few hours could have turned back the clock on cognitive functioning.

The takeaway

man thinking black and white picture
Reneterp / Pexels

It’s possible that daily tasks and physical activity like doing chores and walking regularly could help keep you and your brain younger and sharper. However, this is only one study, and more research is needed to determine if walking slows cognitive decline and further examine the effects of walking on cognitive functioning.

Tips to include more walking in your schedule

Man walking in nature with backpack
Clem Onojeghuo / Pexels

You don’t have to walk for miles at once. 

Here are some top tips to get moving:

  • Try to make sure you stay hydrated.
  • Start with a light walk in the morning and evening. 
  • Instead of driving, try walking somewhere that’s close enough, like a friend’s house or a local shop. 
  • Walk when you’re on the phone.
  • Park further away.
  • Set a ‘walking’ alarm.
  • Walk a dog.
  • Walk during your lunch break.
  • Take the stairs.
  • Explore your local farmer’s market.

Walking provides a multitude of benefits for your brain, mood, blood circulation, and more. Increasing your step count and adding more walking into your day helps you get those benefits and sharpen your brain.

Steph Green
Steph Green is a content writer specializing in healthcare, wellness, and nutrition. With over ten years of experience, she…
Topics
The pros and cons of every cardio machine for your fitness goals
Should you choose the treadmill or stationary bike?
Treadmill and exercise bike

It can be a bit overwhelming being in the gym but not knowing the best equipment to use, as there can be a lot of options. As a personal trainer, I always recommend having a game plan before stepping into the gym, as doing random exercises will help you burn calories, but won’t be efficient for helping you reach your goals at the end of the day.

So, when it comes to cardio, what should you do? I have outlined five of the most popular cardio machines, as well as their pros and cons, who they are best for, and an example workout to help give you some guidance. Let’s dive in!

Read more
Does staying consistent with your workouts yield the best results? New study
Does working out at a certain time of day provide more benefits?
man lunging in workout older man

Of course, five minutes of exercise is better than zero minutes, but they do say consistency is key. It’s putting in the effort by showing up to your workout sessions that delivers results and gets you closer to achieving your goals over time. Finding the time and energy to workout is easier said than done, but if you stick with it, you’ll reap the rewards of your hard work and be proud you’re prioritizing your fitness.

For me, as well as the benefits of helping to manage a chronic autoimmune condition, I enjoy the sense of accomplishment and pride I feel after a solid workout like a resistance training session, a bodyweight workout, or a jog around the block. The rush of feel-good endorphins that accompany that sense of accomplishment is just another added bonus.

Read more
The best dumbbell ab workout to strengthen your core
Get stronger abs with a single piece of equipment
Man lifting weights to build muscle.

Bodyweight ab exercises can be a great way to get a strong core, but adding weight can deliver more benefits. As a personal trainer, I always recommend my clients utilize weights whenever possible with their workouts, including ab exercises.

If you need some ideas for developing the best dumbbell ab workout to see your desired results, keep reading to discover effective ab exercises to add to your routine!

Read more