Walking can make your brain look years younger

New research shows that even everyday tasks, like regular walks and housework, can help keep you and your brain younger.

Staying active, including walking, not only makes you happier but also healthier - Illustration: AI

The medical community has long emphasized that staying active, including walking, not only makes you happier, but also healthier.

Walking is good for brain health

According to Prevention, this is the main finding of a new study from Pennsylvania State University (USA), assessing the impact of daily physical activity on health. But how can walking slow down the aging process?

In the study, published in the journal Annals of Behavioral Medicine , researchers asked 204 participants to answer a series of questions on their phones every day. Over the course of the nine-day study, the people were asked to check their phones six times a day — about every 3.5 hours.

Participants reported whether they had been physically active since the previous test, rating the exercise as light, moderate, or vigorous. Walking was considered a “light” activity, while hiking was considered “heavy.” They were then asked to play two brain games that tested their processing speed and memory.

Researchers found that when people did physical activity — even light exercise — within the previous 3.5 hours, their processing speed was equivalent to that of someone four years younger.

What are the health benefits of walking?

It is difficult to say for sure. Does walking slow cognitive decline? This is just one study. However, research suggests that any type of physical activity, including walking, can provide regular benefits to the brain, helping it stay younger.

“Our results suggest that engaging in any level of daily physical activity can have immediate, short-term benefits for cognitive health,” the researchers concluded.

Everyday movements like walking can have some direct effects on cognitive health, says Jonathan Hakun, PhD, associate professor of neurology and psychology at Pennsylvania State University and Pennsylvania State University School of Medicine.

You can get a lot of health benefits from walking. It is a form of cardiovascular exercise that is suitable for most people, and it is also a form of weight-bearing exercise that helps increase bone density and mobility.

Research has also found that walking can improve your mood, improve your heart health, and reduce your risk of diabetes. One study even found that walking can help you live longer.

The best way to incorporate walking into your daily routine is to try to increase the number of steps you take. However, you don’t have to do a lot of walking all at once. You can increase your activity by taking opportunities like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or walking to a friend’s house instead of driving.

You can also take a walk in the morning or evening to increase your step count.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/di-bo-co-the-lam-cho-nao-tre-hoa-hon-nhieu-nam-20241125153646427.htm