Book: In Praise of Walking: A New Scientific Exploration Kindle Edition by Shane O'Mara

In this “wonderful” (John Brandon, Forbes) book, neuroscientist Shane O’Mara invites us to marvel at the benefits walking confers on our bodies and brains, and to appreciate the advantages of this uniquely human skill. From walking’s evolutionary origins, traced back millions of years to life forms on the ocean floor, to new findings from cutting-edge research, he reveals how the brain and nervous system give us the ability to balance, weave through a crowded city, and run our “inner GPS” system. Walking is good for our muscles and posture;?it helps to protect and repair organs and can slow or turn back the aging of our brains. With our minds in motion we think more creatively, our mood improves, and stress levels fall. Walking together to achieve a shared purpose is also a social glue that has contributed to our survival as a species.

As our lives become increasingly sedentary, O’Mara makes the case that we must start walking again—whether it’s up a mountain, down to the park, or simply to school and work. In Praise of Walking illuminates the joys, health benefits, and mechanics of walking, and reminds us to get out of our chairs and discover a happier, healthier, more creative self.

1A: The Joys And Benefits Of Walking With No Destination (Rebroadcast)

When the country shut down last April, many didn’t know what to do with themselves. Most Americans had never been homebound with no exit in sight.

But some people found a way to feel less trapped through an activity right under their noses: walking.

Walking has a range of health benefits, from boosting your mood to sharpening your perception of the world.

Freelance journalist Jessica Remo writes:

The pandemic slowed my life down, and the minutia became more interesting. Walks were indulgent — a way to fill up on novelty and nature, away from phones and screens.

For this month’s Scientific Method, we’re talking about what walking does for our brains, our emotional health, and even our sense of community.

GUESTS

Shane O’Mara

author, “In Praise of Walking: The New Science of How We Walk and Why It’s Good for Us.”

Jessica Remo

freelance writer; walking enthusiast.

Beth Collier

nature-allied psychotherapist