Already Nietzsche, a German philosopher of the 19th century, wrote that the truly important ideas appear when walking.
Six million years ago, man began to walk in order to obtain greater possibilities from the environment, making a decisive contribution to the evolution of the species.
At birth, it took us more than a year to walk, and it is from that moment on that we can really explore the world.
Nowadays we are so immersed in our things, rushing from one place to another, with cell phones connected at all times that we walk and do not enjoy what is around us, walking finally only turns out to be a means to move. We are used to travel to new places but also in our city we can walk in hidden corners and enjoy the environment with curiosity and attention; this gives us physical and mental gratification.
Walking helps to keep the cardiovascular system active and favors the elimination of harmful cholesterol for the organism. Likewise, walking increases our resistance to effort and helps us to tire less and later. It activates us mentally and physically, as it promotes the release of serotonin and endorphins that generate well-being. Walking also favors concentration, imagination and is an exercise that we can do alone or in company.
Beyond the physical benefits, Frédéric Gros, Professor at the University of Paris, explains that walking provides calm, plenitude and union with nature.
Walking can allow us to find ourselves, to have new ideas, because to walk is to move forward.
Henry David Thoreau wrote: “I believe that the moment my legs begin to move my thoughts begin to flow”. That is why from PsicologíaBcn we propose walking as an exercise to favor our physique and our mind.