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Neuroscientist Reveals The Shocking Science & Benefits of Taking a Simple Walk | Mel Robbins Podcast

2023-07-31 People & Blogs
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Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins
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Order your copy of The Let Them Theory 👉 https://melrob.co/let-them-theory 👈 The #1 Best Selling Book of 2025 🔥 Discover how much power you truly have. It all begins with two simple words. Let Them. — In this episode, a renowned Oxford-trained #neuroscientist teaches you the most incredibly simple, science-backed hack that will change every single part of your life in just 10 minutes. Professor Shane O’Mara, bestselling author and Experimental Brain Researcher at Trinity College in Dublin, walks us through the mind-blowing #research behind, of all things, walking. You’ll be shocked to learn how the right kind of walking can lower #depression and #anxiety without medication. Professor O’Mara explains 3 different types of walking: one way will boost your creativity, another will make you more productive, and a third way will make you a rockstar problem solver. You’ll also learn about the incredible cognitive, mechanical, and physiological chain reaction that happens in your brain and body during a simple walk. The research and neuroscience will empower you to use walking to help you: - Conquer your fears. - Make your brain younger. - Reduce your stress and feel happier. - Double the number of your creative ideas. - Be more focused and productive at work. - Turn off anxious thoughts. - Decrease inflammation in your body. - Improve your relationship with yourself and others. If you’re short on time, bullshit. Put your earbuds in and get outside. Are you ready? Hit play, and let’s walk. Xo, Mel In this episode: 00:00 Intro 07:28 why you should walk with others for social reasons 12:22 Want a younger brain? Start moving. 14:51 What the heck is a “walking mind”? 19:55 Is your environment working against you? 22:06 This is what happens when you get outside and into nature. 24:17 Here’s how walking is just as good, if not better, than your antidepressant. 28:11 You won’t believe these benefits of a 10 minute walk. 36:01 Walking makes you more creative if you do this. 43:38 The shocking study that explains how walking changes your personality. 45:56 Don’t have enough time for a walk? I call BS. Here’s why. 48:28 Professor O’Mara suggests your walking routine should look like this. 51:38 5 easy ways to get in more steps everyday. 57:01 Feel like you don’t belong? Here’s how walking can help. 59:59 This is why you want to make it a habit to walk at night. — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com​ — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins​?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah

Top Comments (10)

@jeaneanehill532 2023-08-07

My sister and I live 260 miles from each other. We had a habit of talking for about an hour each day during covid. Now we walk together connecting our phones and ear buds. She said that she hated walking alone everyday and wasn’t motivated. I walk 5 miles or more everyday. So now with technology we walk and talk sharing family stories, books and the things we see along the way. Win Win for the both of us. We are in our late 70s.

1.9k 98 replies
@DrDinkenstein 2023-08-07

Wife and I walk 7+ miles a day for over 30 years. Greatest habit we formed. Keeps us physicians fit, spiritually fit (prayer walks), socially fit (connects with wife and friends), and mentally fit (learn observing nature). At 63 I still feel young and alive, much of it due to walking.

721 26 replies
@lisahinkofer2085 2023-07-31

I walk twice a day covering five miles. I love it. I’m 68 years old and I’m a painter and a writer and walking is something that grounds me and centers me. I get great ideas for art and writing and it is a form of meditation for me. I was a runner for many years and a speed walker so I hope I’m in good shape. Walking is great for weight control and it eases the mind. I love walking and yes get off your butts and get out there. I go alone for my walks because I enjoy my own company plus I walk at a fast pace being race walker. It’s a work out for me too.

348 12 replies
@sheiladay-od2me 2023-07-31

A 5 mile walk every morning with my dog, Tess, is how I start my day. It is beautiful early in the morning in Denver. My doctor says I will be walking 5 miles a day when I am 90. I am an older woman and have never had any medical problems and have been walking like this since I was 10 years old.

326 21 replies
@incastinc 2023-08-05

I am 86. walk 5 miles/5 days/wk. Do Yoga. Vegetarian. Sleep 6-8 hours/day. No precooked, packaged foods. No salt, no sugar. No bread and rice. No alcohol, no smoking no drugs. I keep track of politics. I vote. Retired. Immigrant. Landed in the US with $2.75 in my pocket. Got a degree, Got a job. Married. Two children - Doctors. All paid. Anyone can do it.

320 27 replies
@flybyadebiwood5789 2023-08-01

Love this! I used to walk 3-5 miles per day. Walking longer was something I looked forward to in retirement. I suddenly developed a limp and walking became increasingly more difficult and then nearly impossible. I was diagnosed with MS. I’ve been working so hard to get my ability back and thankfully it’s working. I use trekking poles and am up to 2 miles but I won’t stop. Walking has always been my way to clear my head and something I very much enjoy both alone or with friends. I won’t give it up!

313 16 replies
@edmund6392 2023-08-11

I walk 8-10 miles a day. I do a 2 hour walk everyday in the morning. And then do several more shorter walks through out the day. It is cheaper than a psychiatrist, cheaper than a cardiologist and cheaper than a gym membership. It is free and so good for you!

195 2 replies
@mazza712 2023-08-05

I retired December 2022 , now I’m bored , slowly becoming depressed. My outlet has been walking every day with my two dogs, morning and late afternoon I am isolated with no friends or family around me ,so it’s great to past the time of day with people I’ve met on my walks

121 6 replies
@angeliabrantley3919 2023-10-12

Hi Mel Robins- I am a trauma therapist and recommend walking to all my clients. When we walk outside we switch from micro view to macro view which is counter active to fight or flight where we focus in on pinpointing our enemy - it sends signals to our amygdala that we are safe. The macro view also encourages horizon view where our eyes move back and forth from left to right. This eye movement alternately stimulates left brain and right brain and balances sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems and brings left and right brain online equally- which we call the wise mind. Walking also triggers chemicals that create a sense of well being, and pauses production of corticosteroids as these glands are mutually exclusive.

96 7 replies
@sohoyankee66 2024-06-11

I grew up in a very chaotic household. I developed a love for walking because that was the one thing that gave me temporary freedoms and peace. To this day I enjoy walking

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