Health

A Bizarre Reason You Should Walk

Have you heard of optic flow? It’s one more reason for walking right for you.

Optical flow is the apparent movement of objects caused by the relative movement between an observer and a scene. Photo by Perchek Industrie on Unsplash

Optical flow (optic flow) is “the pattern of the apparent movement of objects, surfaces, and edges in a visual scene caused by the relative movement between an observer and a scene.” For you, optic flow is the motion pattern created by your eye as you move relative to your environment. Walk, jog, or run and stationary things pass by.

Our brains are quite remarkable. As we move in space, various objects move past our eyes’ retinas at varying speeds (depending on how fast you are moving). Your brain understands how fast you are moving along and cancels out the movement such that the objects are not moving past me; instead, you are moving past them.

Walking can create optic flow, leading to a sense of calm. Photo by Dave Goudreau on Unsplash

Now we come to today’s topic. When our brain circuitry interprets that we are moving through space, we can get a sense of relaxation. So, get out there and create optic flow. You can move fast or slowly, but variable speeds may be optimal. For me, walking each day promotes a sense of calm.

Optical flow, such as the movement of objects past…