Walking-The Best Medicine!

A walk-so simple but yet so powerful. As I have personally learned, a walk can dramatically

improve our lives in so many ways: physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually, socially,

environmentally and even economically! Here’s a snapshot of some surprising benefits:

Physically

 Several studies have found that walking reduces arthritis-related pain, and that walking

five to six miles a week can even prevent arthritis from forming in the first place.

Walking protects the joints by lubricating them and strengthening the muscles that

support them.

 Walking can help protect you during cold and flu season. A study of over 1,000 men and

women found that those who walked at least 20 minutes a day, at least 5 days a week,

had 43% fewer sick days than those who exercised once a week or less. And if they did

get sick, it was for a shorter duration, and their symptoms were milder.

 When walking, your breathing rate increases, causing oxygen to travel faster through

bloodstream, helping to eliminate waste products and improve your energy level and

the ability to heal.

 If you move your body regularly you’ll sleep better at night. That’s because physical

activity naturally boosts the effects of melatonin, the sleep hormone. 

Mentally

 A recent study published in JAMA Neurology found that walking 9800 steps a day

reduces your risk of cognitive impairment by as much as half. Walking 3000 steps a day

improves your chances of avoiding dementia by 25%.

 Many studies now show that even a brief walk outside can rejuvenate or freshen the

mind.

 Researchers also found that those who walk six to nine miles a week lowered their risk

of memory problems by 50 percent.

Emotionally

 Walking releases natural painkilling endorphins to the body – one of the emotional

benefits of exercise. A California State University study showed that the more steps

people took during the day, the better their moods were. 

 Walking outside awakens all of our senses and allows us to fully experience what is in

front of us in the present moment thus decreasing stress.

Spiritually

 Dozens of studies have shown that meditation can counter the stresses of everyday life,

even at a cellular level. Walking meditation combines the power of meditation with the

benefits of movement, fresh air and sunshine.

 Walking alone provides an opportunity to get in touch with the universe and a power

greater than ourselves which can promote a feeling of calmness, peace and

contentment.

Socially

 As my friend Jonathan Stalls (author of Walk: Slow Down, Wake Up and Connect at 1-3

Miles per Hour) likes to say, unhurried movement enables us to “nurture and tend to

the wide variety of relationships around us” including our world and each other.

 One study showed that people who joined walking groups had lower blood pressure,

reduced cholesterol, a lower resting heart rate and more effective weight loss.

 Walking with others helps prevent social isolation which is a known contributor to heart

disease!

Environmentally

 Every time we walk we reduce the burden of air and noise pollution!

 Picking up litter along the way leaves our world in better shape than we found it and

provides us with the good feeling of having a sense of purpose.

 The more we connect with nature the more likely we are to value protecting our natural

environment.

Economically

 Walking to do errands or make appointments reduces driving which can save

substantially in household expenses, freeing up disposable income for other purposes. 

 The healthier we are, the less we have to spend on medical care!

If you’re convinced, I invite you to join me in a new weekly walk (or roll!) and talk starting

Tuesday Jan. 3 at 9:00 a.m. We welcome people of all ages and abilities to participate and we

will meet at the Monarch Spur Trail and 3 rd St. (next to Safeway) for one hour. No fee or

registration required-just show up.

If you are interested in starting your own walking group, a free “Walking Leadership Training”

will be offered on Tuesday, Jan. 17 th from 1-4 p.m. To register send an email to

mbischoff@chaffeecounty.org.

Written by,

Marilyn Bouldin, Volunteer

Age Strong Chaffee/Chaffee Walks