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City walks stimulate the release of hope molecules, which act as natural antidepressants, effectively boosting mood and promoting a sense of well-being.
While nature walks have long been celebrated for their amazing benefits, city strolls can be just as beneficial.
Walking is a simple yet potent tool for enhancing overall health, benefiting both body and mind. While nature walks have long been celebrated for their amazing benefits, city strolls can be just as beneficial. In fact, incorporating regular walks into your urban routine can have a significant impact on your well-being. By embracing city walks, you can take a beneficial step towards a healthier, happier you.
From boosting mood to improving physical health, the benefits of walking are numerous and accessible to everyone. Recently, Dr Alka Patel, a 53-year-old longevity and lifestyle medicine doctor based in London, has shared three surprising benefits of ‘city walks’.
“Think you need a forest to feel better? Maybe… if you’re a squirrel. But if you’re human, your brain might just prefer a walk through the wilds of the city. Because here’s the thing: urban walks aren’t second best, they’re differently brilliant. Green spaces don’t necessarily beat brown ones, they just bring different benefits at different times,” Dr. Patel stated in a video shared on Instagram.
According to Dr. Patel, city strolls have a profound impact on our well-being. “Walking, whether it’s through a park or a bustling street, triggers the release of myokines, which are anti-inflammatory proteins,” she explains. “I refer to these proteins as ‘hope molecules’ – they act as natural antidepressants, reducing stress and boosting mood.” Additionally, city walks uniquely engage the brain, offering benefits that may not be replicated in more serene environments. “City walks activate the brain in ways a tranquil setting, such as a forest, may not,” Dr. Patel notes.
She explains that navigating busy streets activates the hippocampus, the brain’s memory and navigation centre. “We evolved to move and map. That’s why walking sharpens your memory, mood, and mental agility – even if you’re just dodging delivery drivers on Fleet Street. Your brain has evolved to scan and solve whilst moving,” she added, highlighting the intricate connection between physical movement and cognitive function.
You Will Be More Creative
Furthermore, she highlights another benefit of city walks, boosting creativity. “A statue, a crypt café, a hidden alley — when your brain can’t predict what’s next, it perks up your prefrontal cortex and drops a dose of dopamine,” she explains.
This dopamine surge not only elevates mood but also fuels creativity. In fact, studies have shown that walking can increase creativity by 60%. Dr. Patel encourages people to ditch the notion of needing a perfect setting, like nature, and instead take advantage of city walks.
“Don’t wait for the forest. Get out into the traffic,” she says. Even a short, 20-minute walk with no destination can have a profound impact on mood, mental clarity, and overall well-being.
About the Author
Nishad Thaivalappil is a Lifestyle and Entertainment Journalist with almost a decade-long odyssey in the realms of movies, music, culture, food, and travel. He leads the Lifestyle desk at News18.com. Besides ha…Read More
Nishad Thaivalappil is a Lifestyle and Entertainment Journalist with almost a decade-long odyssey in the realms of movies, music, culture, food, and travel. He leads the Lifestyle desk at News18.com. Besides ha… Read More
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