We all know that walking is good for us. Going for a walk is a healthy pastime which can help to reduce the waistline and keep us in shape.
Plenty of people take to the gym or hop on a treadmill as a quick and convenient way to fight the flab and keep fit, but there are benefits to hiking and walking that cannot be found within the confines of the gym. Fresh air, sunshine (when it happens) and even the dirt and mud can be credited for improving cognitive function and decreasing both anxiety and depression.
Brisk walking that elevates the heart rate has long been associated with the release of endorphins, which make us feel good and helps put a smile on our face. But there’s something else in the great outdoors that can be attributed to the feel good factor associated with walking: bacteria!
Studies have shown that a bacteria, which is commonly found in soil – Mycobacterium vaccae – stimulates the same neurons in the brain as Prozac. The neurons involved are responsible for the production of serotonin, the chemical associated with wellbeing. Cancer patients have reported both positive moods and a sense of a better quality of life when exposed to the bacteria.
Mycobacteria and other microbes found in soil are also believed to increase immunity in children, reducing their risk of allergies and asthma attacks caused by pollen and other environmental factors.
So, next time you feel like lacing up your hiking boots and getting out into the great outdoors, remember to take huge gulps of fresh air – it’s doing your entire being the world of good!
