Ever thought about how something as simple as walking can transform your body, brain, and life? Shane O’Mara’s In Praise of Walking: A New Scientific Exploration dives deep into the science and wonder of walking, uncovering how it’s so much more than a way to get from A to B. It’s a love letter to this everyday miracle that many of us take for granted. Ready to take a walk through its highlights? Let’s go!
Why Read This Book?
If you’re a walker, this book is a love note to you. If you’re not, it might inspire you to lace up your sneakers. Shane O’Mara blends cutting-edge neuroscience, history, and personal anecdotes to make a strong case for walking as a superpower for your mind and body. It’s not just exercise; it’s evolution, mental health therapy, and a way to connect with the world.
So, why should you care? Here are three big reasons:
- Walking Boosts Brain Power: Want to think clearer, improve your memory, or spark creative ideas? Walking does all that and more.
- It’s a Social Glue: Walking helps build communities and relationships—it’s how we’ve bonded as humans for millennia.
- Anyone Can Do It: No gym memberships, no expensive gear, no excuses.
Where Walking Takes Us: Big Ideas from the Book
Shane O’Mara’s In Praise of Walking isn’t just a scientific exploration—it’s a treasure trove of insights that reframe walking as an essential part of being human. Here’s a deeper dive into the key sections of the book, with real-life examples to inspire and illuminate.
The Evolutionary Gift of Walking
Walking isn’t just movement; it’s the foundation of human evolution. O’Mara explains that walking upright, or bipedalism, was a game-changer for our species. By freeing up our hands, we could create tools, carry food, and even nurture our young more effectively. This new way of moving gave us stamina, allowing us to travel long distances to hunt, gather, and explore.
Walking also reshaped our brains. The constant balancing act of staying upright strengthened neural pathways and improved coordination. Our ancestors who walked farther and adapted better had a survival edge, leading to the sophisticated humans we are today.
Real-Life Example: The Hadza people of Tanzania offer a living window into our past. As one of the last remaining hunter-gatherer societies, they walk up to 10 miles daily to hunt and forage. Their active lifestyle not only sustains them physically but also fosters a profound connection to their environment—something many of us have lost in modern life.
Walking and Your Brain
If you’ve ever gone for a walk and come back feeling mentally sharper, you’re not imagining it. O’Mara highlights how walking is a cognitive powerhouse. The rhythmic movement of walking increases blood flow to the brain, delivering oxygen and nutrients that support memory, focus, and mood regulation.
Walking also stimulates the hippocampus, the brain region linked to learning and memory. It’s no wonder walking is associated with reduced risks of cognitive decline and conditions like Alzheimer’s. Beyond health benefits, walking sparks creativity. The simple act of putting one foot in front of the other allows your mind to wander, often leading to breakthroughs and fresh ideas.
Real-Life Example: Steve Jobs, the iconic co-founder of Apple, famously conducted “walking meetings.” He believed walking helped him think clearly and communicate ideas more effectively. Even today, companies like Google and Facebook encourage walking meetings to foster creativity and collaboration.
The Social Side of Walking
Walking isn’t just good for the body and brain—it’s a social glue. From strolling with friends to joining marches for a cause, walking is a timeless way to connect with others. O’Mara emphasizes that walking together creates a shared rhythm, fostering a sense of unity and understanding.
Walking is also a way to build trust. Studies show that walking side by side reduces conflict and promotes cooperation. Whether it’s a romantic walk on the beach or a community parade, walking strengthens bonds.
Real-Life Example: Think about historical movements like the civil rights marches in the 1960s. These powerful displays of collective action involved thousands of people walking together to demand change. The act of walking turned individual voices into a unified roar, demonstrating the power of solidarity.
Cities Designed for Walkers
Modern urban design often prioritizes cars over people, but O’Mara argues that this needs to change. Cities built with pedestrians in mind are not only more enjoyable to live in but also healthier and more sustainable. Walkable neighborhoods reduce pollution, encourage exercise, and foster community connections.
Imagine cities with wide sidewalks, shaded paths, pedestrian zones, and easy access to green spaces. These features don’t just make walking safer—they make it appealing. O’Mara envisions a future where cities are designed to invite people to walk, not to drive.
Real-Life Example: Copenhagen is a shining example of a pedestrian-friendly city. With entire streets reserved for walkers and cyclists, the Danish capital prioritizes people over vehicles. The result? Happier residents, cleaner air, and a vibrant city culture where walking is a joy, not a chore.
Walking for Longevity
Walking isn’t just about staying fit—it’s about staying alive. O’Mara calls it the “miracle drug” because it reduces the risk of chronic illnesses like heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Walking doesn’t just extend your lifespan—it improves the quality of those years by keeping you mobile, independent, and engaged.
The beauty of walking is its accessibility. You don’t need fancy equipment, expensive memberships, or special skills. It’s an exercise anyone can do, regardless of age or fitness level.
Real-Life Example: In the Blue Zones—regions of the world where people live the longest—walking is an integral part of daily life. In Okinawa, Japan, elderly residents walk regularly to visit friends or tend to their gardens. This simple, consistent movement keeps them physically active and socially connected, contributing to their remarkable longevity.
The Bottom Line
Shane O’Mara’s In Praise of Walking makes a compelling case for reclaiming walking as a cornerstone of modern life. From sharpening your mind and strengthening your body to building relationships and reshaping cities, walking offers endless benefits.
So why not start today? Take a step—literally—toward a healthier, happier, more connected life. Walking isn’t just something you do. It’s something that can transform you.
Join the Conversation!
So, what’s your walking story? Maybe it’s the morning walk that clears your head, the evening stroll with a friend, or the hike that sparked your best idea. Share your experiences in the comments below!
Have you read In Praise of Walking? What stood out to you? Let’s talk about how we can all walk our way to better health, stronger communities, and happier lives.
The Takeaway
In Praise of Walking is a wake-up call to appreciate the simplest, most accessible form of movement we have. Whether you’re walking to boost your creativity, connect with nature, or just enjoy some “me time,” O’Mara reminds us that every step counts.
Now, what are you waiting for? Go take a walk! You’ll feel better—guaranteed.
5 powerful quotes from In Praise of Walking by Shane O’Mara:
📖 “Walking is not a lost art – one must, by some means, get to the office.”
This humorous quote reminds us that walking is still woven into our daily routines—even if we don’t always notice it. It highlights how walking remains essential, even in a tech-driven world.
In simple terms: We still rely on walking more than we think—especially to get where we need to go.
📖 “Walking is a miracle: a complex, coordinated, and largely automatic act.”
O’Mara emphasizes how walking is an incredible feat of biology. Though it feels effortless, it’s actually a result of sophisticated brain-body coordination built over millions of years.
In simple terms: Walking feels easy, but it’s one of the most complex things your body does without you even thinking about it.
📖 “Our brains work best when we’re moving.”
This core idea is backed by science. Movement boosts blood flow, stimulates brain function, and enhances creativity and focus—especially when we’re walking.
In simple terms: Walking helps you think better, solve problems, and stay mentally sharp.
📖 “A walk is never just a walk.”
Every walk, whether it’s to the corner shop or a long forest trail, has potential—mental, emotional, and physical. O’Mara wants us to see walking as meaningful, not mundane.
In simple terms: Even a short walk can boost your mood, health, or spark a new idea.
📖 “We think with our whole bodies, not just our brains—and walking proves it.”
This quote gets to the heart of embodied cognition—the idea that movement influences how we process thoughts and emotions. Walking is thinking in motion.
In simple terms: Walking helps your brain work better because your whole body is part of how you think.
