We know walking can be an easy activity that burns a few calories. A spry 92-year-old woman attributes her good health to taking a walk, faithfully, every day. During frigid months in Edmonton, Mom joined the ‘Mall Milers’, walking a circuit in an indoor mall with other older people eager to move. Neuroscientist Shane O’Mara claims regular walking makes us healthier, happier and brainier.
At the peak of COVID-19 restrictions, BC’s highly respected provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, said “Please, go outside. Going for walks is important for mental health.”
I’m a huge proponent of walking but admit the destination can often be as important as the journey. Even my meditative walk in the morning serves a quasi-purpose: I buy a cup of coffee to take home for ‘working’ in my cave. Later, if I’m not playing tennis, I walk to an art gallery, a museum, a library, a theatre. But the pandemic ruined my rituals. There are no safe places to go. Time to recalibrate.
WALKING WORKOUT
When gyms and recreational facilities closed, many people decided to turn walking into a vigorous form of exercise by incorporating one or more of the following tips:
- Quickening the pace to increase our heart rate and maybe even break a sweat.
- Bringing our arms into action by swinging them back and forth or by carrying hand weights.
- Walking on varied terrains and slopes to exert our legs and challenge our balance, which tends to decline with age.
- Adding a backpack containing stuff up to 20% of our body weight, a full water bottle being a vital content.
- Stopping for calf raises, lunges and squats — or pirouettes à la The Right Honourable Pierre Trudeau at Buckingham Palace in 1977.
NATURE NURTURES
Walking in urban areas is beneficial, especially if we absorb the scene around us, paying attention to sights, sounds, smells, shapes and textures. But scientific evidence also shows a connection with nature improves our mental health, as I discovered when becoming part of the back-to-the-land movement in the ’70s. I lived simply, primitively even, in a small community at the northern end of Lake Shuswap. Among several natural marvels, I observed an annual salmon run while fishing by a spawning habitat on the Seymour River. Nature bestowed its restorative powers on me. The revered Romantic poet William Wordsworth (1770-1850) wrote, “Nature never did betray the heart that loved her.” (Can a reader name the poem?) If our circumstances allow us to walk vigorously in nature, all the better in these trying times.
Last week I noticed a woman following a fitting formula: she walked in Stanley Park to sit amid nature, on a semi-secluded bench, with a serene view of Lost Lagoon, and listened to music while knitting colourful yarn. Substitute an eReader for the balls of yarn — and that’s me. •
Tracy Ware says
Good column, Pam. I especially liked the quotation from “Tintern Abbey.” There was never a more dedicated walker than Wordsworth.
Pam McPhail says
You’re right about the poem, Tracy. On September 3, 1800, William’s sister Dorothy noted in her diary: Wordsworth, Coleridge, and Jonathan Wordsworth left “after breakfast” to walk “upon Helvellyn” and returned home at 10 at night, having covered probably 15 to 20 miles — a long, but not unusually long for them, walk. As you say, Wordsworth habitually spent at least several hours a day walking, and it was not at all uncommon for him to spend entire days on foot.
Glen Wickens says
I hope we all get to revisit some beloved spot sooner than the time between visits to Tintern Abbey for Wordsworth, so that we are not saying years from now, “Five years have past; five summers, with the length/ Of five long winters!”
Ian M Wallace says
Wonderful post, Pam! Not everyone is partial to exercise, eg, in a gym, and sporting activities do not interest all. Nonetheless, most people can walk and, as you point out, this is good for us on several levels.
In my younger years I was keen to walk the length of Hadrian’s Wall, coast to coast, but now I am content if I can walk around the block a few times. Would you try a circumnavigation of Mont Blanc on foot, as achieved by P&T? Wishing you and all readers of this fine blog happy walks through the pandemic and beyond!
Pam McPhail says
You’ve been a great promenader for always, Ian, but the pandemic has curtailed your international walking — for the time being. I do not see Mont Blanc in my future, though you never know…
Linda W says
Great article Pam! I love to walk, however, until I get a knee replacement I am limited to going only a few blocks. There is so much to see when walking and I miss that for sure. Stay safe and continue your new rituals.
Tim McPhail says
I’m sorry to hear about your knee Linda. I am a witness to how much you enjoy walking. Pam’s article and your response make me appreciate how valuable my walks are. In fact, today is a beautiful day for Nina and me to walk out and enjoy the gardens in the neighborhood that are just coming into bloom.
Pam McPhail says
Wrong Linda, Tim, but good to know you and Nina go out and about. I wonder how many steps you walked in a round of golf? Do you match the number now in your ’hood?
Pam McPhail says
You’re still waiting for the surgery, and the pandemic doesn’t help. Sure hope you get your knee replaced some time in 2020, Linda.
Catherine McCallum says
Good perspective on the values of walking Pam. I have always been an avid walker and still maintain that ritual each day. Living in Edmonton for most of my life I had to switch my walking habit indoors to a treadmill for the winter but rarely missed a day. Now that I am retired and living in a much milder climate I can really appreciate the changing seasons which can only be appreciated fully outdoors. Thank heavens for a dog that forces me outdoors everyday.
Pam McPhail says
Sounds like you’ve long benefitted from walking, in and out of nature, Cathy. It’s wonderful you’re now located to enjoy outings in the great outdoors year-round.
Patricia Britton says
Great post Pam.
Pam McPhail says
Thanks, Pat.
Marie McLean says
You touched a nerve with your readers here, Pam. Interesting column and responses. Ken and I have taken to walking in the Lennoxville woods. We’ve just downloaded an app on Ken’s phone and hope to be able to identify some of the many bird calls we hear.
Pam McPhail says
What a clever way to enrich your daily walks, Marie. The app must be like Shazam, which Patrick introduced at Marina’s wedding in 2009 to identify the dance music.
Brandon says
One of your best.