Since I got a dog, I walk every day and sometimes more than once. Walking is such a simple activity that I started to enjoy more and more just as a process, rather than a chore. I did a little research, and I think this can help you as an educator / and parent to feel happier and more grounded. There is scientific evidence to support my claims, don’t you worry!
1. It regulates your nervous system
Walking, especially at a steady pace, activates my parasympathetic nervous system, the “rest and digest” mode that calms my fight-or-flight response.
When you walk, you’re literally telling your body, “We’re not in danger anymore.”
2. It creates bilateral stimulation
Left foot, right foot. Left, right. I actually start with the right, due to being right-handed…
This rhythmic pattern mimics EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing) , a psychological therapy used to process trauma and reduce anxiety. Dr Andrew Huberman talks a lot about it in his podcasts.
Walking naturally engages both hemispheres of your brain, and
- Lowers rumination
- Improves emotional processing
- Increases mental clarity
Since I suffer from racing brain and too many thoughts, I feel so much better after walking. Even coffee cannot beat it.
3. It resets my attention
Anxious thoughts tend to loop in my head. “What will I do in my class on Friday, I need to buy this book about Aboriginal Science, I have not finished reading Rachel Carson yet, I should not really buy another book”. Walking outdoors, especially in nature, introduces gentle, soft fascination, a concept from Attention Restoration Theory.
Bird sounds, leaves moving, sunlight shifting, these low-demand sensory cues calm cognitive overload. For me – pure gold. That’s why I make a lot of videos while walking.
4. It boosts mood-regulating chemicals
Walking boosts:
- Serotonin (mood stabiliser)
- Endorphins (natural painkillers)
- BDNF (a protein that supports brain growth and resilience). Don’t ask me, I have no idea what this is, but apparently is good for me and you!
Even a 10–20 minute walk can change the brain chemistry noticeably.
5. It gives me agency
Anxiety often makes me feel trapped, ruminations in my head, in my patterns. It is not far from starting to feel like a victim. Walking is a small act of movement, which turns into momentum.
I am kind of proving to myself: “I can move. I can choose. I’m not stuck.” Then I start working or cleaning the house or planning this difficult lesson.
🌿 How to Make Walking Work for You
- Try to use no phone (I often leave it as home)
- Choose natural environments if possible (parks, gardens, water)
- Walk at your natural pace, not to burn calories. Although feel free to do what you want 🙂
- Pay attention to what your body is doing, not just your thoughts.
Where do you like to walk?
Also, do you think walking with children will help them to feel better, especially if they have ADHD, Autism or Anxiety?
