It was a beautiful morning for a brisk walk - lovely sunshine with just a slight autumn chill to begin with. I have been seeing a lot in the media recently how beneficial walking is for all sorts of health conditions. Doctors are even coming around to thinking that exercise and reconnecting to nature can be used instead of drugs. The statistics, of how many drugs are prescribed per head of population, are frightening, especially as there are so many side effects and damage that can be done to healthy bits of the body! There must be another way...
In New Zealand, there has been a very successful initiative known as 'Green Prescriptions', which family doctors in this country have been encouraged to follow, especially for obesity and depression. So instead of prescribing drugs, they can write a prescription for a change in lifestyle, such as, exercise in the outdoors and gardening!
However, I feel that patients must be given some support and guidance and groups they can join. The other day, I noticed in my local GP surgery, there was a notice for free, regular, gentle, guided walks. It is so difficult to do regular exercise on your own, so if you can't find a group, why not start your own or hook up with someone - a friend or family member, who will commit to a regular time...
I can testify that it is not just the exercise that is so good when you commit to regular walking with someone. It is the companionship, and the connection with nature, that is so fulfilling, and feeds the soul! I love seeing the changes in the countryside as the seasons progress and change. The surprise sighting of some wildlife or just admiring some beautiful flowers, fungi or even a spider's web (see the middle set of pictures) is just a delight! Taking regular photographs and writing the blog is a wonderful visual diary, which you can look back on, and is something I would also recommend!
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