Keep on Truckin'
I Love Me a Walk
Hi Friends,
Every morning, even in downpours and snowstorms, I take a sunrise walk along the harbor here in my town.
It starts my day off right. I've written here about the seal we see some mornings, and my newest fascination is identifying birds by their song using the Merlin App from CornelLabs. I do this, because there it is often too hard to actually see the darn birds in the trees. I mostly hear the same birds, but occasionally I'll bag a migrating something or other.
My greatest achievement so far happened this morning. The app identified 4 birds in a 2 second span. Of course, the really interesting songs stop as soon as I open the app—c'est la vie.
And as I am sure you all know, walking is good for you. Not just the mild exercise you get from moving your body, but walking outdoors reduces stress, helps your brain and heart, and enhances your immune system.
And, this isn't only because you're ambulating. It’s due to the fact that the sounds, smells, and fresh air actually provide these benefits.
It's not bunkum (look it up), it's serious science. Inhaling some odors, like from certain pine trees, has been shown to increase your cancer fighting killer cells. It is also being accepted that certain nutrients find their way into your bloodstream via your lungs.
So, breath deep.
This is especially true when you take a walk in nature along the water—He shoots, he scores!
Recent research suggests that you don't have to go deep into the woods or move to the sea to reap the benefits of a pleasant stroll. In fact, there is some suggestions that an area with open spaces and some trees, like a savanna, is actually best. Caroline M Hagerhall argues that in these types of areas, we see shapes in the distance that generate positive brain waves.
So, really, getting outside is simply great for your health (Olive and Clyde know this), even in the city.
Any activity in an area with diversity (it's not a dirty word) helps.
So, if all you can do is get up from your work (or whatever you're doing - such as reading one of my books) and take a few minutes wandering around outside, you're doing yourself a huge favor.
And, if you’re rambling along Gloucester Harbor around 5:30 AM, say “hi.”
Happy writing, happy reading, happy walking,
David