Most of us have heard that walking is good for our bodies: walking can reduce our risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, dementia, diabetes, several types of cancer, and more. Some of us have heard that walking is good for our brains: walking can help improve our decision-making, boost our executive function, and fuel our creativity. And many of us have heard that walking is good for our emotional well-being: walking can boost our mood and can be a valuable tool in the battle against depression.
But what about loneliness? Can walking help there too?
We believe so. A study my company undertook last year revealed that women who regularly walk with their friends are 2.5 times less likely to feel lonely often.
Why is it that walking together is so powerful?
First, we are social beings and we are wired to crave — and enjoy — shared experiences. Researchers believe this comes directly from our biological need to belong: our ancestors were a whole lot safer walking in the woods with their tribe than they were walking the woods by themselves.
Second, our hormones help. Walking increases levels of oxytocin — a hormone that heightens our connections with others. So when you walk with a friend, your biology helps foster a deeper, more meaningful connection. And yes, oxytocin is the same hormone that is released during childbirth and nursing, which makes sense because it encourages us to bond with our babies.
Third, extensive research shows that our brains process differently when we are walking. Because only part of our brain is occupied with putting one foot in front of the other, the rest of our brain is free to roam, to think more deeply. More importantly, when we are walking together, we can comfortably take the moments of quiet to process and give ourselves the chance to think, and connect, more deeply.
Finally, because conversations tend to flow more easily and because walking together provides an activity — and one that takes place away from home — it is far more comfortable to invite a new friend for a walk than to invite them to your home. Indeed, many mom friendships have been formed from the question “Do you want to take a walk after school drop off?”
In short, walking together can be an incredibly powerful antidote to loneliness. It provides the perfect environment for conversation and connection. It offers time and space, free of distractions. It gives us the increased pleasure that comes from sharing an experience. It delivers a blast of oxytocin that encourages us to connect with one another. And it provides an easy way to begin to connect with a new friend.
About the Author
Joyce Shulman, founder and CEO of 99 Walks and Macaroni Kid reaches millions of moms each month with hyper-local and national e-newsletters and websites, social media content, video and her Weekly Walk podcast. Having created a one-of-a-kind digital platform, she connects families to the wonders of their own communities and inspires women to chase their dreams and crush their goals.
Her most recent endeavor, 99 Walks, is on a mission to combat loneliness and improve fitness through the simple act of encouraging moms to walk together. Her mission? Nothing short of getting a million women walking.
Throughout her two decades as an entrepreneur, Joyce has guided SAHMs, teachers and even MBAs to success. Joyce shares how moms need to “take care of mama bear” and avoid the “martyr mom syndrome.” Her experience in business and leading mompreneurs makes her a coveted speaker where she shares tactics for beating burnout, fueling creativity, goal crushing, how walking can fuel productivity and performance, and more.
Joyce received her Bachelor’s in Business Management from the University of Maryland and her Juris Doctor, Cum Laude, from St. John’s University School of Law. After law school, she spent more than a dozen years as a New York City lawyer where her practice focused on complex commercial litigation.
A self-confessed idea junkie, in 1998, Joyce abandoned law firm life to liberate her entrepreneurial spirit and focus on the things that are most important to her: family, community and empowering women to chase their dreams.
Find Joyce online at:
http://www.linkedin.com/in/joyceshulman
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH-NR50srbDzKdUBx5BPgQQ
https://www.instagram.com/joyce.r.shulman/
— Blog Tour Dates
May 25th @ The Muffin
What goes better in the morning than a muffin? Grab your coffee and join us in celebrating the launch of Joyce Shulman’s book Walk Your Way to Better. You can read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book.
http://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com
May 26th @ Karen Brown Tyson’s Blog
Stop by Karen’s blog today and you can read a guest post by author Joyce Shulman about how you become inspired to write a book.
https://karenbrowntyson.com/blog/
May 28th @ One Sister’s Journey
Visit Lisa’s blog today and read her review of Joyce Shulman’s book Walk Your Way to Better.
May 30th @ One Sister’s Journey
Stop by Lisa’s blog again today where you can read a guest post by author Joyce Shulman where she talks about why do women need to take care of themselves. A timely post in this day and age!
May 31st @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Visit Anthony’s blog today and read his review of Joyce Shulman’s book Walk Your Way to Better.
https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/
June 2nd @ Lady Unemployed
Visit Nicole’s blog and read Joyce Shulman’s guest post about beating brownout (the precursor to burnout).
June 5th @ Wellness Connection Utah
Visit The Wellness Connection today and read thoughtful insights into Joyce Shulman’s book Walk Your Way to Better.
https://www.wellnessconnectionutah.com/blog
June 6th @ Author Anthony Avina’s Blog
Stop by Anthony’s blog again where you can read a guest post by Joyce Shulman on how walking can help with loneliness.
https://authoranthonyavinablog.com/
June 8th @ Reviews and Interviews
Visit Lisa’s blog today and read her interview with Joyce Shulman, author of the book Walk Your Way to Better.
http://lisahaseltonsreviewsandinterviews.blogspot.com/
June 10th @ Bookish Tay
Stop by Taylor’s blog today and you can read her review of Joyce Shulman’s book Walk Your Way to Better.
June 12th @ The New England Book Critic
Visit Victoria’s blog today and read her insights into Joyce Shulman’s book Walk Your Way to Better.
http://www.thenewenglandbookcritic.com/
June 13th @ Simply Nourished Wellness
Visit Stephani’s blog today and you can read her review of Joyce Shulman’s book Walk Your Way to Better.
https://www.baconandwhippedcream.com/
June 15th @ Jessica’s Reading Room
Visit Jessica’s blog today and make sure you read her review of author Joyce Shulman’s book Walk Your Way to Better.
http://jessicasreadingroom.com
June 17th @ Bookish Tay
Visit Taylor’s blog again and you can read a guest post written by Joyce Shulman about how to keep fear from standing in your way.
June 19th @ Coffee with Lacey
Stop by Lacey’s blog and read her review of Joyce Shulman’s book Walk Your Way to Better.
June 19th @ Second Wind Leisure
Stop by Terri’s blog today and read her review of Joyce Shulman’s book Walk Your Way to Better. You can also read a guest post written by the author about the power of yet.
https://secondwindleisure.com/
June 20th @ Cafeyre
Visit Karoline’s blog today and read her review of Joyce Shulman’s book Walk Your Way to Better.
https://cafeyre.wordpress.com/
June 21st @ Simply Nourished Wellness
Visit Stephani’s blog again and you can read a guest post by author Joyce Shulman about the value of walking. Don’t miss it!
https://www.baconandwhippedcream.com/
June 22nd @ And So She Thinks
Visit Francesca’s blog today and read her interview with Joyce Shulman, author of Walk Your Way to Better.
https://andsoshethinks.co.uk/embed/#?secret=1ilLtrNQ9d
June 23rd @ The Frugalista Mom
Stop by Rozelyn’s blog today and read her review of Joyce Shulman’s book Walk Your Way to Better.
June 24th @ Cathy C. Hall Writes
Visit Cathy’s blog and read her review of Joyce Shulman’s book Walk Your Way to Better.
June 25th @ D-Mom Blog
Don’t miss Leighann’s review of Joyce Shulman’s book Walk Your Way to Better.
June 26th @ Deborah Adam’s Blog
Stop by Deborah’s blog today and read her review of Joyce Shulman’s book Walk Your Way to Better.
http://www.deborah-adams.com/embed/#?secret=lWbZ45jh7z
June 27th @ Deborah Adam’s Blog
Visit Deborah’s blog again today and you can read a guest post by Joyce Shulman about the commitment to women walking their way to better.
http://www.deborah-adams.com/embed/#?secret=lWbZ45jh7z
June 28th @ Bev A Baird’s Blog
Visit Bev’s blog today where she reviews Joyce Shulman’s book Walk Your Way to Better.
Excellent guest post!