We have logged thousands of Camino miles since 2007. Therefore, we can agree with scientists that the activity of walking has many benefits. Some are hard to describe, much less prove, like those involving our souls. Other benefits, like those enhancing your mind and body fitness from walking in nature, are readily backed by science.
In today's fast-paced world, the rejuvenating benefits of immersing oneself in nature are often overlooked. However, scientific research reveals that a simple walk through the great outdoors can have profound effects on both the mind and body.
Walking the Camino Can Boost Your Brain Power
Studies demonstrate that walking in natural environments can significantly reduce negative thoughts and rumination. Research published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences shows that just a 90-minute stroll in nature can lead to lower levels of rumination, offering relief from anxiety and depression.
We Like to Disconnect from Technology When We are Walking the Camino
Interesting to those preparing to walk the Camino is the research that shows how to increase brain power. Disconnecting from technology during outdoor walks can enhance creativity and problem-solving skills. A study by psychologists Ruth Ann Atchley and David L. Strayer found a remarkable 50% improvement in problem-solving tasks among participants who went on tech-free nature walks.
We walk the Camino with our mobile phones to have with us in an emergency, and to take photos. Otherwise we take a rest from using them, because it is refreshing to us.
For individuals with ADHD, green outdoor activities have been shown to alleviate symptoms effectively. Research by Frances E. Kup, PhD, and Andrea Faber Taylor, PhD, suggests that exposure to nature can significantly reduce ADHD symptoms, providing a natural alternative to medication.
When we began looking into walking the Camino de Santiago in 2007, we couldn’t find out much about it. However, what we found and read described a positive experience. These people who called themselves pilgrims professed to be better for having walked this path. All these years later with many, many Camino walks at work in us we can attest to the positive changes in ourselves.
Walking the Camino can Boost Your Physical Health
In addition to cognitive benefits, walking the Camino offers numerous physical advantages. Moreover, it is an excellent way to burn between 400 – 700 calories per hour, depending on your size and the difficulty of the path. It provides a cardiovascular workout, promotes joint health, and strengthens muscles. Studies have also shown that aerobic exercise like walking the Camino can improve memory and cognitive function, particularly in older adults.
The Camino de Santiago is very special to us and so many millions through the centuries. Walking the Camino is renowned for its transformative effects. This ancient pilgrimage trail, spanning hundreds of kilometers through Spain, offers not only physical challenges but also profound spiritual and emotional experiences. Walking the Camino provides an opportunity for introspection, self-discovery, and connection with fellow pilgrims from around the world. Moreover, we have been thankful to have experienced all of these benefits.
Whether you choose to walk the Camino de Santiago or explore local trails, the benefits of walking in nature are undeniable. We can’t always be walking on the Camino, but we all can find trails where we live to get the benefits of walking. Lace up your walking shoes, grab a hat and water bottle, and embark on an adventure in walking. You might begin by going out your front door.
Ready to experience the transformative power of nature walks? Take the first step today and reap the rewards for your mind, body, and soul. And maybe you will decide to go and walk the Camino de Santiago!
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