01/31/2026
Walking is the single most natural and simple way to regulate your nervous system. If you can, do it outside. The natural bilateral eye movement from walking will help you process stress, difficult situations, and will help you process emotional memories.
When stressful things happen to us, we need to move so our brain can process the emotions. When we sit still after stress for long periods of time, we ruminate. Rumination is playing a situation in our mind over and over again. We do this because the emotional memory is trying to be processed, but with the body in a state of stillness, it can’t happen.
Chronic rumination leads to depression.
It’s no coincidence that as we’ve been pulled into sedentary lifestyles, depression has increased. Our ancestors walked all the time. Throughout the day. Every day. “Walk it off,” is not just a saying, it’s a truth.
Add walking into your daily life whenever you can. Even small bursts of walking help.
Some ideas:
1. A simple walk around your block
2. Drive to a park or a street with shops and walk it (explore new parks or hikes you haven’t been on before)
3. Park father away every time you have a chance
4. If weather is bad, walk indoor malls or shopping centers
5. Find a walking buddy to hold you accountable
6. Ask to do therapy or coaching on the phone so you can walk
7. Get a small treadmill and a stand for your laptop so you can work and walk
Without enough natural movement and light, humans will inevitably end up depressed
