How Walking and Cycling Quiets Your Brain
Imagine walking on a serene, meandering forest path, with intermittent bird song gently punctuating the stillness of the quiet morning air. Golden sunlight is streaming through gaps in the lush, green forest canopy, casting dappled patterns on the ground. As you move forward with an easy, steady rhythm, you pass towering stands of pine trees on your left, a crystal-clear, babbling brook on your right, then a weathered picnic bench, some twisting, ancient standing deadwood, a quick, darting red squirrel, and another hiker enjoying the peaceful solitude.
This movement of objects past you as you walk is called optic flow, and it turns out it’s incredibly beneficial for your mental health. It’s a perfect example of How Walking and Cycling Quiets the Brain, as the soothing, repetitive motion and ever-changing scenery help reduce stress, enhance focus, clear the mind, and cultivate a deep sense of inner peace.
Andrew Huberman is a neuroscientist and professor in the department of neurobiology at the Stanford School of Medicine. Huberman has made significant contributions to the fields of brain function and the emerging field of neural plasticity or how the brain changes itself. He says:
“Getting into a mode of forward ambulation, and especially experiencing visual flow has a powerful effect on the nervous system.”
Tucked beneath the innermost part of our brain’s temporal lobe is a specialized region called the amygdala. The small, almond-shaped group of neurons play an important role in detecting and processing fearful and threatening stimuli. It’s been called the “neurological hub of human emotion.”
Huberman points to several recent high-quality peer review studies showing that forward ambulation, including walking, cycling or running, generates lateral eye movements or optic flow, which has the “incredible property” of quieting the amount of neural activity in the brain’s threat-detection centre and reducing levels of anxiety.
Huberman highly recommends setting out for a walk or cycle in an outside environment, especially first thing in the morning. He says this can set your day and make you “alert and responsive, instead of anxious and reactive.” This aligns with the idea of How Walking and Cycling Quiets the Brain, as these activities help reduce stress, enhance focus, and promote a sense of calm.
Looking for something to help quiet your amygdala?
Freewheeling Adventures offers extraordinary guided or self-guided walking, hiking, or bicycling tours designed to provide a perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Whether you seek rugged coastal treks, scenic countryside rides, or immersive cultural experiences, our tours cater to every adventurer’s spirit. If you’re interested in some of our off-the-beaten-track holiday hiking or cycling tours, check out our low-traffic bike tours or our wilderness hikes. Along with the physical benefits, walking and cycling have a calming effect on the mind, allowing you to disconnect from daily stress, reconnect with nature, boost creativity, and enhance overall well-being—a reminder of How Walking and Cycling Quiets the Brain.
A few stand-out options include the Labrador Hiking Tour, six days of epic, breathtaking hiking along a rugged, pristine coastline, where dramatic cliffs and untouched wilderness create an unforgettable adventure. Our Bernese Alps Hiking Tour takes you on a journey through the heart of Switzerland, traveling by foot through picturesque highlands, charming alpine villages, and awe-inspiring mountain landscapes.
For cycling enthusiasts, our stunning Hiroshima & The Seto Sea Bike Tour is often referred to as road bikers’ heaven, offering serene coastal roads, historic sites, and sweeping ocean views. Meanwhile, the Confederation Trail Bike Tour in Prince Edward Island provides a tranquil escape, cycling on a peaceful, traffic-free trail surrounded by lush countryside, scenic farmland, and the island’s signature red soil cliffs.
