We begin April with “…Touch the sunny hill” words from Rainer Maria Rilke’s poem A Walk.
Wednesday, April 3rd, is National Walking Day, established by the American Heart Association, which celebrates 100 years of promoting heart health this year.
Walking is our first and last most precious full body erect exercise.
Our walking gait, which includes how fast we walk, involves the cardiovascular system and coordinated movement of muscles, bones and nervous system. Research has shown that the speed of our gait can be an indicator of longevity, particularly in older adults.
Here are a few reminders for re-introducing more walking into our day.
1. Park at mid-to-far end of grocery store parking lot when shopping.
2. Take the stairs whenever possible.
3. Buy a smart watch, which contains a pedometer, for measuring your steps. The average person will take 2000 to 2500 steps when walking a mile. If you are reasonably healthy, you can congratulate yourself on any day in which your device records 7000 to 10,000 steps.
4. At least three to four days a week give yourself the gift of a 20-to-30 minute BRISK walk. Start out slower until you are comfortable walking at the higher speed.
5. Buy yourself comfortable, but flexible, sturdy walking or running shoes. A good pair of walking shoes is one of the best investments you can make – as long as you use them!
6. Walk with a friend. The camaraderie will contribute to your longevity as well.
7. Include some hill walking so you can “…Touch The Sunny Hill.” WF!
A Walk
By Rainer Maria Rilke, German Lyric poet (1875-1926) Poem found on All Poetry website.
My eyes already touch the sunny hill.
going far beyond the road I have begun,
So we are grasped by what we cannot grasp;
it has an inner light, even from a distance-
and changes us, even if we do not reach it,
into something else, which, hardly sensing it,
we already are; a gesture waves us on
answering our own wave…
but what we feel is the wind in our faces.
