Ben Greenfield’s Weekly Roundup: November 22

New Discoveries

The Movement of Genius: Why Walking WHILE Learning *Boosts* Your Brain Power and Recall 🌟🚶‍♀️

“Peripatetic learning,” an ancient concept rooted in Aristotle’s teaching method from around 335 BC, emphasizes discussion, reflection, and deep learning through walking (peripatoi), blending movement with education in a way that shaped his enduring legacy.

Unfortunately, this powerful teaching technique has been largely forgotten.

Today, beyond its historical significance, walking-based learning is recognized for its numerous benefits, including enhanced cognitive function, improved metabolic health, and increased brain blood flow—benefits also experienced while recording podcasts!

What makes walking while learning so effective? According to recent studies, this combo has science-backed benefits including:

• Boosted cognitive function: Walking increases blood flow and oxygen to the brain, sharpening cognitive processing, focus, and problem-solving abilities. It’s a simple yet profound way to supercharge mental performance.
• Enhanced memory retention: Walking activates the hippocampus, the brain’s memory center, improving both recall and long-term retention. Light exercise primes the brain to absorb and store information more effectively.
• Elevated mood and reduced stress: Physical activity releases endorphins and lowers cortisol levels, making learning less stressful and more enjoyable. A happier, more relaxed mind absorbs information better.
• Improved focus and attention: Movement helps counteract restlessness and fatigue, sustaining attention for longer study sessions. Walking breaks are a proven method to keep the mind sharp.
• Boosted creativity and idea generation: Walking enhances “divergent thinking,” or the ability to generate multiple solutions to a problem. Stanford research shows walking can increase creative output by an average of 60%, especially when done in natural settings.
• Enhanced neuroplasticity: Exercise promotes the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein essential for learning, adaptability, and long-term brain health.
• Mind-body synchronization: Walking aligns physical movement with cognitive processes through “embodied cognition,” where the rhythm of walking enhances mental clarity and learning.
• Increased energy and reduced mental fatigue: Even light exercise, like walking, combats mental fatigue, boosting alertness and making it easier to focus on complex topics.
• Support for executive functioning: Walking improves higher-order functions like planning, organization, and self-control, helping you tackle challenging tasks more strategically.

• This study involving medical students found walking while learning interactive, engaging, and beneficial for physical and mental well-being. 
• Another study with younger students revealed walking improved both learning retention and cognitive test performance compared to sitting.

If you’re curious about my walking setup at home, I use the Walkolution treadmill desk, including when recording podcasts. (You can discover more about how you can turn your office setup into a calorie-burning workstation here.) It’s a soft-surface, whisper-quiet manual treadmill that supports walking while working or learning. Its innovative design also strengthens and stretches the feet while providing a smooth walking experience—even accommodating sprint speeds. 

To “learn more” 😉, you can check out the Walkolution treadmill here (and get $150 off any purchase of $1000 or more by using code BEN at checkout). 

The holidays are all about showing how much you care—and what better way to do this than by giving the gift of vitality, longevity, and optimized living? 

But let’s be real: finding safe, vetted, and effective health and wellness gifts for your loved ones can feel overwhelming. With endless online options, how do you even start sorting through what’s legit and what’s just noise?

After decades of studying the latest developments in modern science—testing and experimenting with everything from cutting-edge wellness tech to transformative supplements—I’ve handpicked my top 27 gifts, which you can now find in my 2024 Holiday Gift Guide! 🎄

Here’s a sneak peek at some of my favorite wellness gifts:

• BON CHARGE Blue-Free Lighting & EMF Protection 🌙: This solution is perfect for anyone looking to reduce exposure to artificial blue light and harmful EMFs, especially during the darker winter months. It’s one of my go-to secrets for unwinding at night, and it is a thoughtful upgrade for your loved ones’ wellness routines.
• SiPhox Health’s At-Home Blood Tests 🩸: Get a deeper look into health without stepping into a clinic. SiPhox covers 50 essential biomarkers, from heart health to metabolism, and syncs seamlessly with wearables. This is an incredible gift for anyone passionate about their wellness journey!
• BIOptimizers Magnesium Breakthrough 💪: Over 80% of people don’t get enough magnesium, impacting sleep, stress, and muscle function. This all-in-one magnesium supplement includes 7 types of magnesium for ultimate absorption—a thoughtful, powerful gift for loved ones looking to feel their best.
• Kineon MOVE+ Pro Red Light Therapy 🌞: This portable LED and laser therapy device is ideal for speeding up muscle recovery, easing joint pain, and boosting circulation. It’s great for athletes and active family members who want next-level relief and performance support.
• Pique Tea’s Sun Goddess Matcha 🍵: Gift the ultimate matcha experience! Pique’s ceremonial-grade matcha is toxin-screened and pairs beautifully with their holiday-exclusive Pearl Beauty Creamer for a radiant skin boost.

From exclusive savings on longevity-boosting skincare and at-home bloodwork tests to remarkable discounts on advanced recovery tools and top-of-the-line oral peptides, you’ll get to discover 27 of the best stocking stuffers and life-optimizing solutions crafted for anyone looking to live better, longer, and stronger.

So this year, skip the socks and scarves and give the gift of transformation with Ben Greenfield’s 2024 Holiday Gift Guide! 🎁 🎅