Why Walking Matters: The Science Explained

Tatyana Simms

 Walking seems simple — but the impact it has on your mind, body, and longevity is anything but. Why Walking Matters: The Science Explained explores evidence-based articles, expert insights, and wellness research to uncover why this everyday movement is one of the most powerful tools for better health. Whether you're on a stroll or just curious, this podcast brings you the facts, one step at a time from published articles set out to explore the science of walking.

  1. vor 1 Tag

    Is It Possible to Walk Too Much?

    Send us Fan Mail Can you walk too much? If walking is one of the healthiest things we can do, is there ever a point where more isn't better? In this episode, we're exploring what happens when walking goes from beneficial to potentially problematic. We'll discuss the difference between challenging yourself and overdoing it, the warning signs that your body may need more recovery, and why there is no magic number of steps that's "too much" for everyone and we'll play a game called Too Much or Totally Fine? You'll hear real-life walking scenarios and have a chance to decide whether the walker is pushing too hard or doing just fine. You'll learn: 🚶 Why high step counts aren't automatically a problem 🦶 The most common walking-related overuse injuries ⚠️ Warning signs that you may be doing too much too soon 💤 Why recovery is an essential part of any walking routine 🎯 How to find the sweet spot between challenging yourself and staying healthy Whether you're just getting started or you're regularly logging thousands of steps a day, this episode will help you build a walking routine that's sustainable, enjoyable, and supportive of your long-term health. Link to Sources used in this episode Connect with Why Walking Matters: Website: https://whywalkingmatters.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/why_walking_matters Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out WhyWalkingMatters.com Blog and become a subscriber for weekly walking tips! Share Your Walking Story Listen on YouTube  Email us at: Kaydoscope@gmail.com to share topics you'd like to learn about.

  2. 9. Aug.

    Walking Is Everywhere: Festivals, Parades, and Other Surprising Ways to Move More

    Send us Fan Mail Walking doesn't have to mean laps around the neighborhood or another session on the treadmill. In this episode we're exploring the many surprising ways people walk around the world—and why some of the best walking experiences happen when exercise isn't the goal at all. Inspired by my experience attending the inaugural Jamaican Day Parade in Brooklyn, we'll look at how parades, festivals, open-streets events, and community traditions create opportunities to move more while celebrating culture, connecting with others, and having fun. You'll discover: 🚶 Why walking often feels easier when it's part of a meaningful experience 🎉 How events like NYC Summer Streets transform city streets into giant playgrounds for walkers 🌎 The incredible story of Bogotá's Ciclovía, which closes miles of roads to cars every week and welcomes millions of people each year 🏅 The Dutch walking tradition that gets hundreds of thousands of people walking together every year 🤝 Why social connection, culture, and community can be powerful motivators for movement Whether you're looking for new ways to stay active or simply want to rethink what "counts" as a walk, this episode will inspire you to find movement in places you may have never considered. Because sometimes the best walk isn't the one you planned—it's the one that happens while you're busy living life. Sources NYC Summer Streets https://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/pedestrians/summerstreets.shtml Bogotá Ciclovía https://elpais.com/america-colombia/2024-12-08/cincuenta-anos-de-la-ciclovia-de-bogota-ese-dia-fue-una-ruptura-en-el-imaginario-de-la-ciudad.html Avond4Daagse (Netherlands) https://www.avond4daagse.nl/over-ons/ Exercise Motivation and Adherence Review (Teixeira et al., 2012) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22726453/ Connect with Why Walking Matters: Website: https://whywalkingmatters.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/why_walking_matters Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out WhyWalkingMatters.com Blog and become a subscriber for weekly walking tips! Share Your Walking Story Listen on YouTube  Email us at: Kaydoscope@gmail.com to share topics you'd like to learn about.

  3. 2. Aug.

    Why a Walk by the Water Feels Different

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode we explore the growing science of blue spaces—environments where water is a prominent feature—and what researchers have discovered about their effects on mood, stress, attention, and overall well-being. You'll learn why a waterfront walk may feel more restorative than a walk through a busy urban environment, how water captures our attention in unique ways, and what studies reveal about the mental health benefits of spending time near rivers, lakes, beaches, and other waterways. We'll also discuss practical ways to incorporate blue-space walks into your routine and how combining walking near water with mindful walking can create an even more enriching experience. Whether you're fortunate enough to live near the coast or simply have access to a local pond, stream, or riverwalk, this episode may inspire you to seek out a little more blue space on your next walk. Sources Physical and Mental Health Effects of Repeated Short Walks in a Blue Space Environment: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935120307076 A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Blue Space and Health: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32971082/ The Neighborhood Effect of Exposure to Blue Space on Elderly Individuals' Mental Health: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1353829220301301 Connect with Why Walking Matters: Website: https://whywalkingmatters.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/why_walking_matters Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts. Check out WhyWalkingMatters.com Blog and become a subscriber for weekly walking tips! Share Your Walking Story Listen on YouTube  Email us at: Kaydoscope@gmail.com to share topics you'd like to learn about.

  4. 19. Juli

    Music, Walking and Conversation (Anniversary Episode)

    Send us Fan Mail  One year ago, I launched Why Walking Matters: The Science Explained with a simple goal: to explore the science behind one of the most accessible and powerful things we can do for our health—walking. For this special anniversary episode, I'm doing something a little different. I'm combining two of my favorite things: walking and music. You'll hear a few songs that have inspired me over the years and the lessons they hold about resilience, gratitude, second chances, and embracing life's journey. You'll also hear from four incredible women from my hiking group as we walk and talk on the trail about what walking and hiking mean to them, how movement has shaped their lives, and what they would say to someone who is thinking about taking that first step. Along the way, you'll hear the sounds of nature (and traffic), the rhythm of the trail, and the stories that remind us that walking is about so much more than exercise. Thank you for listening, sharing, and walking with me over the past year. Here's to many more miles ahead. 🎧 Happy Anniversary and thank you for being part of the journey. Connect with Why Walking Matters: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/why_walking_matters YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLpK3sJhC-AoJouNfQ45NekV1R_nw6k4wd Check out WhyWalkingMatters.com Blog and become a subscriber for weekly walking tips! Share Your Walking Story Listen on YouTube  Email us at: Kaydoscope@gmail.com to share topics you'd like to learn about.

  5. 5. Juli

    A Walking Story: Walking the Camino with José Andrés

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when one of the world's most celebrated chefs sets out on one of the world's most famous walking journeys? In this episode, I read an inspiring article from Outside magazine in which chef, humanitarian, and World Central Kitchen founder José Andrés reflects on his experience walking the Camino de Santiago in Spain. More than just a long-distance walk, the Camino has inspired millions of pilgrims, travelers, and walkers seeking adventure, reflection, connection, and personal growth. Through Andrés' observations and storytelling, we explore the unique power of walking to bring people together, foster gratitude, and help us see both ourselves and the world in a new way. Whether you've dreamed of walking the Camino yourself or simply enjoy hearing stories about the transformative power of walking, this episode offers a fascinating look at one of the most iconic walking routes on Earth. Article discussed in this episode: José Andrés on Why the Camino de Santiago Is a Walk Everyone Should Take https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/essays/jose-andres-camino-de-santiago-walk-spain/ Follow Why Walking Matters: Instagram: @why_walking_matters YouTube: Why Walking Matters Check out WhyWalkingMatters.com Blog and become a subscriber for weekly walking tips! Share Your Walking Story Listen on YouTube  Email us at: Kaydoscope@gmail.com to share topics you'd like to learn about.

Info

 Walking seems simple — but the impact it has on your mind, body, and longevity is anything but. Why Walking Matters: The Science Explained explores evidence-based articles, expert insights, and wellness research to uncover why this everyday movement is one of the most powerful tools for better health. Whether you're on a stroll or just curious, this podcast brings you the facts, one step at a time from published articles set out to explore the science of walking.