Wilderness Recovery Guide

Guide email 12

Your Brain on Movement (It's Pretty Amazing)

Quick question: Have you ever noticed how much clearer your thinking feels after a good hike or walk? Turns out, there's solid science behind that feeling. đź§  Movement literally...

Quick question: Have you ever noticed how much clearer your thinking feels after a good hike or walk?

Turns out, there's solid science behind that feeling.

🧠 Movement literally rewires your brain. It increases BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor)—basically fertilizer for your neurons. Regular walking can even increase the size of your hippocampus, the brain's memory center.

🚶‍♂️ A recent 2025 study looked at walking and brain health. The result? All 12 studies showed positive effects on hippocampal volume. Different intensities helped different areas—low-intensity walking with nature exposure boosted spatial memory, while vigorous walking improved memory storage.

But here's my favorite part: Exercise primes your brain to learn. After a workout, your brain is more plastic, more adaptable, and better at absorbing new information.

This week in the Movement & Mindset Resource, I'm diving deeper into how movement changes your brain—from mood and stress resilience to sharper thinking and neuroplasticity.

Read the full breakdown here:

Walking and the Brain

See you out there,
Jeff

P.S. Go for a walk and see how you feel before and afterwards. You can decide for yourself if you think it's a good thing ;-)

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