We already sense it: after a walk in the woods we feel calmer. A study published in Molecular Psychiatry, discussed by Stanford Lifestyle Medicine, was able to see it inside the brain.
The study
Participants took a 60-minute walk, some in a natural setting and others in an urban one. Before and after, they answered questionnaires and had a functional MRI scan.
What they found
- After walking in nature, amygdala activity decreased.
- After walking in the city, there was no change.
The amygdala is involved in regulating emotions and responding to stress. When overactive it is linked to anxiety; when it calms down, it has an anxiety-reducing effect.
The takeaway
It is not only about moving: where we move matters too.
A suggestion
- Plan a weekly walk in a park, a forest or along a river.
- Keep your phone in your pocket.
- Walk slowly, matching your breath to your steps, as in walking meditation.
Source: Stanford Lifestyle Medicine – A one-hour walk in nature.
