Hikers Stay Healthy, Happy, Sharp-minded
A study at the University of Toronto reinforces the growing body of evidence that being active outdoors is good for you. PhysOrg printed an interview with Guy Faulkner, in the Physical Education faculty at U of Toronto, who shared that exercise not only provides physical benefits; it beats depression and appears to slow the onset of dementia in the later years.
Even 10-minute walking breaks can have a noticeable effect on mood. All it takes to benefit from exercise is self-monitoring, action planning, and overcoming barriers. “As researchers, we’ve looked at how physical activity adds years to life,” Faulkner said, “but the flip side of this is that physical activity also adds life to years.”
Suggested previous entries:
- 06/06/2010 “Get a Life with Nature”
- 01/27/2010 “Barefoot Is Better”
- 10/23/2009 “Modern Men Are Wimps,”
- 10/11/2009 “Conservationists Moan Lack of Hikers,”
- 08/10/2009 “Don’t Just Sit There; Do Something,”
- 02/20/2009 “Back to Nature; Back to Health”
and other entries under the Health chain links.
People in Biblical times walked a lot. Look at the Holy Land and you see hills and valleys everywhere. Getting anywhere required walking up and down; getting from Jericho to Jerusalem, for instance, was a 3,400 foot ascent in 15 miles – a hefty workout. Soldiers, farmers, and travelers took all this walking in stride (pun intended) unless a horse did the work. Jesus walked that trail many times.
Our comfortable society, with powered transportation, has made exercise a choice that is too easily crowded out of our schedules. See what the article prescribes about small ways you can get at least a little activity into your routine. You don’t need a gym or expensive equipment. One of the best means to physical and mental health is walking outdoors surrounded by the beauty of God’s creation:
