WV Walks: 30+ Minutes Daily

Article:  Walking to Reduce Stress


Many people have significant stressors in their lives. We seem to face challenges on a daily basis. We had a tsunami in December, an ongoing war in Iraq and Afghanistan, and thousands of details of everyday living that test us. The way we see these events makes a huge difference, but the scientific evidence demonstrates that walking and regular exercise effectively reduce stress, anxiety and depression.

It is so easy to become consumed by the many things happening in our lives and in the world. We have conflicting responsibilities, and we often have little or no time to ourselves. What is a person to do? I can almost guarantee you that taking a walk will decrease the stress and tension associated with those things that are taking a toll on us.

Build time to walk into your day on a regular basis. My wonderful friend and former mentor, Dr. Ken McPherson, was a master at this. You need to make your own well-being a priority. I am convinced that we can help others only up to the level of our own health and wellness!

You may not have much time, but you can almost always grab 10 minutes before or after lunch. I assure you that many of your pressing concerns will be diminished by the time you finish a ten-minute walk. Even better, invite a friend to join you for your walk. Now, stop reading! Pick up the phone and set up a walking appointment. This may be the most important exercise for the day.

The setting can make walking even more pleasurable. Our wonderful trail system along the Monongahela River and Decker's Creek is particularly soothing. My wife, Jan, attempts to walk in the woods, especially Cooper's Rock State Forest, several times each week. This is a meditative experience for her.

Although I have been on the pages of The Dominion Post for the past month talking about the health benefits of walking for 30 minutes daily, I realize that the whole of life is so much more than promoting fitness, avoiding heart disease and losing weight. Let us all cherish our existence in a way we have not done before. Our mental, emotional and spiritual health is just as important as our physical health. Walking can breathe new life into your body, mind and spirit.

At 9 am on Saturday, April 16, the MS Walk will occur at the Star City Trail. Registration begins at 8 am. Join family, friends, and co-workers to have fun and help fight MS. To register, call 1-800-FIGHT MS or go online to www.nationalmssociety.org/wvt. After registering, you'll receive everything you need to collect contributions.

The first Morgantown Walk for Life and Breath will be held this Saturday, April 16, at 10 a.m. at the Hazel-Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park. Please join us. Registration begins at 9 am. For more information, call Rachelle at 1-800-lungusa or check www.mrsnv.com/evt/home.jsp?id=558.

Information about all the WV Walks programs on this website. You may also call 296-3300. 

Isn't it time you started walking?