Have you ever gone for a walk while talking to a friend on the phone who is a great listener? I notice that, whether I’m going through a hard time, or a great time, I always feel refreshed after those conversations. It pulls me out of my own head. I find myself in a different state of mind than I was before the conversation, and my friends often say the same.
This got me wondering what the science is behind this feeling of clarity…
When people say this, it’s true! Combining movement with meaningful conversation around your dreams and goals is powerful, and results in a change of state because:
Walking causes increased blood flow toward the brain and has a cleansing effect.
Movement causes endorphins & opiates to be released into the body
Exercise causes a drop in stress hormones & is associated with improved cognition and mood
Movement increases Brain-derived neurotrophic factors (BDNF), which is like “fertilizer” for the brain
The images above are from a research study at the University of Illinois. This shows how much more activity is happening in the brain scan on the right, after a 20 minute walk. This shows us that movement can prime our brains for peak performance, which is a great state to be in when discussing your goals, dreams and aspirations.
This is why I offer walking coaching sessions, where we can walk and talk together via phone call (or WhatsApp, if you are not in the US). As a coach, my goal is to provide you with space to sort through what may be holding you back, to paint the picture of your dream reality, and then to support you in forming a game plan to move forward. If you are interested, please click the button below to schedule a free consultation so that we can discuss whether coaching is a good fit for you!
