The Benefits of Walking in New Places
I’ve just returned from a Thanksgiving trip to New York City. My daughter and her husband live in Brooklyn. It’s my third year in a row visiting them over Thanksgiving and I look forward to the trip more and more with each year.
I absolutely love walking in New York and especially Brooklyn! It’s such a huge contrast from my regular small town walking route. There’s so much to see, to hear, to smell, to feel, to experience.
Fort Greene Park
My daughter’s apartment is just two blocks west of Fort Greene Park, which is simply a gem. We walked there every day and even though I’ve visited before, it’s still very much a new place to me. Walking in a new place brings the experience down to what I call “human feet speed”—our natural pace. There are some really wonderful benefits of walking in new places, here’s four that stand out!
Benefits of Walking in New Places:
Enhanced Cognitive Stimulation: Walking in unfamiliar environments stimulates the brain differently than in familiar ones. New sights, sounds, and smells activate various sensory and cognitive pathways. This heightened sensory input can lead to increased creativity, improved problem-solving abilities, and a greater sense of mindfulness.
Emotional Well-being and Stress Reduction: Exploring a new area on foot can be a refreshing and exhilarating experience. It breaks the monotony of routine and can provide a sense of adventure and discovery, which contributes to emotional wellbeing. Moreover, walking in natural or green spaces, like parks, has been shown to reduce stress and promote feelings of relaxation and tranquility.
Improved Spatial Awareness and Memory: Navigating through a new environment enhances spatial awareness and memory formation. The challenge of finding your way in an unfamiliar area engages and sharpens the brain, potentially improving memory and orientation skills.
Increased Physical Health Benefits: Walking, in general, is beneficial for physical health, but doing so in new areas can add variability to your exercise routine. This can engage different muscle groups, improve balance and coordination, and potentially increase the duration of the walk due to the exploratory nature of the activity.
Brooklyn Nightscape
In our hyper-paced existence, we typically zoom through our surroundings unless we’re on a deliberate break—like a vacation. And even then, we often drive through a new area vs walk.
Here’s four key differences between walking vs driving through a new area:
Pace and Perception: Walking allows for a slower pace, offering the opportunity to observe details that might be missed while driving. It provides a more intimate and immersive experience with the surroundings.
Physical Engagement: Unlike driving, walking is a physical activity that benefits cardiovascular health, muscle tone, and overall fitness.
Interaction with the Environment: On foot, you're more likely to interact with locals, experience the culture of an area up close, and have spontaneous encounters. These interactions can enrich the experience of a new place, providing insights and memories that are less likely to occur when isolated in a vehicle.
Environmental Impact: Walking has a minimal environmental footprint compared to driving. It's a more sustainable and eco-friendly way to explore, aligning with conscious and responsible tourism practices.
I hope that your Thanksgiving was wonderful—filled with love, laughter, and of course some great walks. And I hope that on your next vacation, or long weekend, or even this afternoon, you walk somewhere new! As you now know, the benefits are enormous!
P.S. I also hope that as the Holiday Season progresses, you remember to take care of your whole Self (body, mind, and spirit) with daily walks.
P.P.S. If you’re struggling to squeeze in your daily walks, having a walking partner is proven to be a key to success. I’m happy to be yours! Join me in The Walking Women and we’ll walk through the Holidays together.
This Beautiful Walk
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