Hi, it’s Mac here!
Do you usually walk much in your daily life? I’m a big fan of walking — if it’s just one train station away, I’ll walk. And when I travel, I often choose to walk so I can enjoy the streets and local scenery. New views always feel fresh, and I’ve always felt they give my brain a nice boost.
Recently, I watched a book-summary video that talked about the benefits of walking, and it was so interesting that I wanted to share the highlights here.
1. Walking boosts creativity💡
According to a Stanford study, walking can increase creativity by up to 60%.
Honestly, I’ve totally felt this — when I’m stuck on an idea, taking a walk often helps things click.
Steve Jobs was famous for his walking meetings, and maybe this is exactly why.
2. Walking helps your hippocampus grow🧠
A study on people aged 55–80 found that walking for 40 minutes, three times a week, increased the size of the hippocampus by 2%.
On the other hand, the group that only did stretching saw their hippocampus shrink.
Walking is a powerful habit for protecting your brain, no matter how old you are.
3. Walkers tend to live longer🧘
A massive dataset of 650,000+ people showed that those who walked about 150 minutes a week lived 3–4 years longer on average.
It also reduces risks for heart disease and other major health issues.
Walking is seriously one of the most cost-effective health investments.
4. Sitting too long is basically the new smoking⚠️
Sitting for 11+ hours a day increases your mortality risk by 40%.
Even if you exercise, sitting for long periods is harmful on its own.
A simple habit like standing up once every hour can make a big difference.
5. Exercise doesn’t cancel out excessive sitting🏋️
Even if you hit the gym regularly, if you spend the rest of the day sitting, the negative effects still remain.
That’s why small habits — standing up, walking a bit, moving regularly — matter a lot.
6. Modern life makes us walk less🏃♂️➡️
Japan’s Ministry of Health recommends 8,000–10,000 steps a day.
But the average Japanese person only gets around 6,100 steps.
Life has become more convenient, but our walking time has quietly disappeared.
7. Many shoes actually hurt our feet⛸️
Pointy-toe shoes or super cushioned shoes can prevent your toes from moving naturally.
People from barefoot cultures often have wider, naturally spread toes — which shows how much footwear affects us.
8. Barefoot-style shoes are becoming popular🦶
Barefoot shoes have wide toe boxes and thin soles, helping you use your feet more naturally.
If you want to improve your walking form or feel more connected to the ground, they might be worth trying.
9. Walking helps your mind and body reset🕊️
Walking boosts creativity, improves brain health, lowers lifestyle disease risks, and even helps with sleep and mental well-being.
The benefits stack up the more you do it.
You don’t have to start big — even 15 minutes a day is enough.
I’ll keep making small choices like walking more or taking the stairs.
Before you know it, your mind and body might feel a whole lot lighter🍀
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