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Greetings!
Good morning! Don't these doctors look like they have some really difficult news to share? Oh dear - not me. I'm sure they are just really nice people that take their profession seriously. Or maybe...they are models and the photographer said, "In this shot - you are a physician - don't smile." Yup, that's probably it.
Anyway, today is going to be an incredible start of a beautiful weekend! Thursday? Weekend??
Ahhh yes! In Walk with a Doc World all weekends are 4 days long (actually 5 days, but if we told you that you wouldn't believe us.)
"Wow! 5-day weekends, poop muffins, and free happiness - Is this heaven?!"
Nope, it's Walk with a Doc. |
 This Saturday - Special Guest at Walk with a Doc - Highbanks! |
 Brad is here to announce that this Saturday we are honored to be joined by Phil Heit.
Dr. Phil Heit is Professor Emeritus of Physical Activity and Educational Services at The Ohio State University. He is the founder of the New Albany Walking Club in New Albany, and founder and race director of the New Albany Walking Classic. In addition to being an exceptional organizer, Phil is an expert on running and walking.
For those that have participated, you absolutely understand why the New Albany Walking Classic has been voted the "Best Walking Event in America." This will be their 6th edition. It happens every September, and I refuse to miss it. Too much fun....and food.
On Saturday, September 4th, at Highbanks, Phil will detail what to expect in his World Class Event, answer any questions you may have surrounding the Classic, as well as generalized questions regarding running and/or walking (he has fantastic advice).
Be forewarned, I will be offended by the person(s) posing questions to Dr. Phil on the cardiovascular related benefits of walking. If that happens....it could get ugly, real fast.
As if all this wasn't enough, you will get coffee, water, and plenty of refreshments.
Please be aware that the Walk with a Doc - Westerville and WWAD - Park of Roses will not be officially meeting this Saturday.. |
| For those attending sporting events this fall | |
Those in Columbus are aware that tonight the #2 ranked OSU Buckeyes take on Marshall. This looks to create a relatively challenging traffic situation - or does it? What if we all parked a mile or two away. I love that idea. Here's why:
1. Much less parking traffic stress - studies have shown that stress is not good for you...or fun.
2. Burn 600-800 calories (including return trip to car).
3. Much less traffic on way home - see #1
4. Maybe an adult beverage on the way in? Hmm....Hmm....(this will be well metabolized and already improving your heart by the time you leave)
5. The triple threat of (a) your team's victory, (b) college pheromones wafting through the air, and (c) exercise's guaranteed release of serotonin and endorphin create legal euphoria (see picture above)
6. Opportunity to tell all the obnoxious physicians sending you weekly emails that you once again made us proud.
7. Watch the hundreds of envious faces of people stuck in their cars as you continue to advance onwards to the game. Is that bad? They'll join you next time... |
| Forest Bathing? Nice! | |
Dr. Mary-Lynn Niland pulled this cool article from the NYT.
By ANAHAD O'CONNOR
This time of year, allergies and the promise of air-conditioning tend to drive people indoors.
But for those who can take the heat and cope with the pollen, spending more time in nature might have some surprising health benefits. In a series of studies, scientists found that when people swap their concrete confines for a few hours in more natural surroundings - forests, parks and other places with plenty of trees - they experience increased immune function.
Stress reduction is one factor. But scientists also chalk it up to phytoncides, the airborne chemicals that plants emit to protect them from rotting and insects and which also seem to benefit humans.
One study published in January included data on 280 healthy people in Japan, where visiting nature parks for therapeutic effect has become a popular practice called "Shinrin-yoku," or "forest bathing." On one day, some people were instructed to walk through a forest or wooded area for a few hours, while others walked through a city area. On the second day, they traded places. The scientists found that being among plants produced "lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rate, and lower blood pressure," among other things.
A number of other studies have shown that visiting parks and forests seems to raise levels of white blood cells, including one in 2007 in which men who took two-hour walks in a forest over two days had a 50-percent spike in levels of natural killer cells. And another found an increase in white blood cells that lasted a week in women exposed to phytoncides in forest air.
THE BOTTOM LINE
According to studies, exposure to plants and trees seems to benefit health. "Nancy, you think that cardiologist that emails us is a hippie? I think he is - you gotta come read this." |
| About Walk with a Doc | |
Walk with a Doc is a group of community members, organizers, volunteer nurses, and physicians that get together in the park. We meet for an hour to have fun, eat, drink, and celebrate how easy exercise can be. We walk in small groups at whatever pace, distance, and time you choose. The nurses and doctors are there to talk for a few minutes, answer questions, check blood pressures, give you a pedometer, and walk with you if you so choose. We do this because we know how vital and powerful exercise is in preventing millions of cancers, heart attacks, strokes, new onset diabetes and lots of other bad stuff. We have a large part of cure and it's fun. Too much caffeine - sorry for the verbosity. Thank you for your time and Go Bucks!
See you Saturday,
David
Walk with a Doc
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