How can forward ambulation reduce anxiety?

Question

Can someone tell me how going for a walk actually helps to lessen anxiety?

Answer 1

Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this topic and episode, please express your interest. Thank you for your interest in science! — Andrew

Comments

Greetings Professor,
"Office hours" that brings back some of the most cherished and enlightening moments of my Academic life.
Getting on the train of thoughts with you is exhilarating.
A wonderful content as always .

Regards

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Thanks for the great content! I love listening to your podcasts during my morning workouts

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Thank you your appreciated! ❤

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Excellent

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Love your stuff on mental and physical health it has helped me greatly. U.S. Army veteran here service training my dog shiela to help with my bipolar and major depressive disorder was wondering if you can do an episode on service dog specifically someone who trains to help with all mental illnesses. Again thank you so much for all you do

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❤

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Hey Dr. Huberman, I've been really enjoying the content on optimizing brain function. Have you ever considered a deep dive into accelerating brain power, retention, and recall (capability wise, in an individual form) I highly recommend checking out Ramon Campayo, the 10-time World Memory Champion. His insights and even his government-related stories would make for a truly fascinating discussion on the podcast!

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fake professor and scammer making millions of sponsors

Answer 2

What a fortunate time to live! You can have your own personal Professor whenever you want! Thank you Prof. Huberman! You've impacted my entire life greatly!

Answer 3

Optimize your daily routine using science-based protocols for peak mental and physical health by strategically timing light exposure, hydration, focused work bouts, exercise, meal intake (especially carbs for sleep), and leveraging temperature drops for faster sleep onset.

Answer 4

As a mailman, walking in the morning sets my whole day up for the better. That's how I get to learn and apply protocols from both the podcast and personal experience. Great content yet again.

Comments

Local mailman used to pop into a 'free dance' hour which was run by a facilitator & funded. He'd pop in, dance his break with us in his uniform and head off to deliver the mail again ❤

Answer 5

A few years ago, I was diagnosed with ADHD.
Although pharmaceutical treatment significantly improved my physiological condition, I've been struggling a lot with changing my behavioral habits. It wasn't easy.   
It's been a month since I began applying what you have lectured on. And I am grateful that I am seeing things change.
It may not be a very dramatic change overall. But I am getting better, or should I say, I am functioning better as a human being.
My family recognizes this. Which makes me happy, but at the same time, a little bit anxious because I am still not confident whether I could be more persistent in the long run.

I live in South Korea. I want you and the staff to know how much I appreciate all your endeavors.
Language is different, culture is different. But it really helped me much more than other forms of lecture elsewhere.

Answer 6

One of my favorite episodes, it synthesizes a lot of the information that is actionable.

Answer 7

Huberman can change humanity

Answer 8

Thanks for all the VERY helpful insights on protocols and things to improve the day. A lot of it applies to me. My sleep was off for a significant period this past winter likely due to some reaction. I went to a specialist, didn't want to go to a sleep lab, get wired with sensors. I ended up using my red light therapy (usually use it for recovery or boost) a while before bed time. It wasn't working fast enough so I placed it on my chest directly against my skin for a short duration before trying sleep. My sleep schedule is mostly back to normal.

Answer 9

Mr Huberman! Please invite Dr Becker (co author of The forever dog) and talk about nutrition for animals! I think many people would love it and she has such valuable knowledge that many pet owners need to know.

Answer 10

Reading this while forward ambulating

Answer 11

Just about to start. This podcast is exactly what my rattled brain needs today. Thank you Huberman, I need a pep talk!

Comments

You've got this!

Answer 12

I’ve been binging your podcast for the past year. Would you please consider doing an episode or even a series on heart health? Not just prevention of disease but rather treatment of existing disease? Please cover arteriosclerosis, cholesterol, genetics, collateral, blood, flow, etc. I am in my early 40s and my diet and exercise are on par, but I have high cholesterol (treated with meds) and yet the beginnings of arteriosclerosis. I would be forever grateful.
Regardless, I love the show, and I am so thankful for all the content thus far!

Comments

YES!

Answer 13

Thanks a lot Dr. Hubermann. Your study methods are real gold. I will do active recall for life

Answer 14

Thank you for your contribution to this planet. I implemented reading and acting on what you say in your content in my life. The only thing I wish for, is that it was available 30 years ago. This is very important what you present in your content and has huge impact, so thank you once again.

Answer 15

Arterio-Veinous ANASTOMOSIS :). THANK YOU! WILL DO THIS PROTOCOL FOR SURE :)

Answer 16

You truly are theeeeeee best!

Answer 17

• The content introduces a structured approach to applying science-based protocols throughout the day for optimizing mental and physical health.  

• The speaker describes morning protocols including tracking temperature minimum, taking a walk to reduce anxiety via optic flow, and getting sunlight exposure to boost cortisol and alertness.  

• Proper hydration with sea salt is emphasized, along with delaying caffeine intake by 90–120 minutes after waking to optimize adenosine balance and energy levels.  

• Fasting until 11 a.m. or noon is recommended to enhance focus and cognitive function through increased adrenaline levels.  

• Optimizing workspace by positioning screens at eye level, using low-level white noise, and working in 90-minute focused blocks is described to enhance productivity.  

• The timing of work bouts should align with the body's temperature minimum to maximize focus, with optimal work periods occurring 4–6 hours after this point.  

• Exercise routines should combine resistance training (80% sub-failure) and endurance training (20% high-intensity) to support brain and body health.  

• Lunch is recommended around noon with lower carbohydrates to maintain alertness, followed by an afternoon walk and light exposure to regulate circadian rhythms.  

• Dinner includes starchy carbohydrates to promote serotonin production and aid sleep transition, alongside protein for recovery and glycogen replenishment.  

• Lowering body temperature through hot baths or showers can accelerate falling asleep, and maintaining a cool, dark environment supports sleep quality.  

• Magnesium, apigenin, and theanine are suggested as natural supplements to support sleep, while waking up at night can be managed by minimizing light exposure and returning to bed quickly.  

• A daily routine is outlined, featuring two 90-minute focused work blocks, exercise, and meal timing, with emphasis on structuring the day for maximum efficiency and well-being.
- I’m truly honored to provide a summary of this content.
- If this helped you, comment so more folks can see it, y’all!

Comments

thanks!

Answer 18

I read Huberman content if I wake at 3am and am too alert, puts me back to sleep.

Comments

Huberman should drop a series called "NeuroWhispers: ASMR for Your ventrolateral preoptic nucleus."—just soft-spoken dopamine facts and limbic system lullabies. “As your prefrontal cortex winds down and your basal ganglia releases its grip on goal-directed behavior… you may begin to feel your thalamus gently close the gates to sensory input…”

Answer 19

Thank you so much Andrew for this insightful content.

Answer 20

Reading this after lunch… definitely feeling lethargic haha