A Holiday Stroll Is Good for Body AND Soul
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted December 15, 2022
It’s that time of year again.
No, I’m not talking about the holidays. Not directly, anyway.
It’s the weather I was referring to. Because, let’s face it, with the dropping temperatures it’s getting a lot harder to spend time outside.
The cold and often unpredictable winter weather is practically an invitation to curl up on the couch. After all, SOMEONE needs to eat those Christmas cookies and watch those holiday movies.
It’s only for a few months of the year… it can’t hurt, right?
WRONG. There are some very good reasons to NOT give into that couch-potato urge (and some FANTASTIC ones to head outside for a walk).
I get it, the weather isn’t always the best this time of year.
But I STILL encourage you to make every effort to get outside for a walk at least once a day, preferably soon after eating dinner.
There are some great reasons to put on your coat and winter boots and head out that door.
- Digestion: Walking after a meal helps with digestion. Research has found a stroll speeds up the time it takes for food to make its way from your stomach to the small intestine. This helps you feel more satisfied after eating (satiety) as well as head off heartburn and reflux.
- Mood: Walking is an overall mood brightener that studies show drives away depression (especially if done with a companion). Plus, choosing an outdoor evening stroll instead of watching a stimulating game or a thrilling TV show can be a calming way to end the day. And that could be especially helpful during the holidays.
- Sleep: Research shows walking can improve the quality and quantity of your sleep. Plus, it often helps you fall asleep faster.
- Connection: My wife and I walk together all the time. It’s a great way to connect and chat about our lives.
- Blood Sugar: Studies show walking after your meals is one of the best ways to control blood sugar. Several studies found anywhere from a 10 to 20-minute post-meal walk effectively lowers plasma glucose levels. And a recent meta-analysis published in Sports Medicine found walks as short as two to five minutes lead to significantly lower blood sugar levels after meals.
The bottom line: a daily stroll is good for both your body AND soul.
One pleasant surprise is that the cold likely won’t bother you nearly as much as you fear. The movement will keep you warm and you’ll quickly adapt to the temperature.
P.S. How about a bonus benefit? It turns out walking can ALSO send your risk of early death plunging by up to 67 percent! Find out exactly how long you need to walk to get this incredible life-extending benefit RIGHT HERE. (Spoiler alert… it’s not NEARLY as much as you might imagine.)
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
Mistakes that Make Seasonal Allergies WORSE
If you suffer from seasonal allergies, you know how miserable they can make you feel. Common irritants, such as mold spores, dust mites, pet dander, air pollution, and strong odors, can make your symptoms go from bad to worse. You can avoid some of these triggers, and you have no control over others. Either way,...
The Hidden Dangers of Fried Foods
It’s no wonder French fries are so popular. They’re crispy, salty, and oh-so-satisfying. As a matter of fact, as I wrote the words “crispy” and “salty” just now, my mouth watered. I’m only human, after all. But brace yourself—because what I’m about to share will make you think twice before diving into your next serving...
Losing Your Locks? The SURPRISING Solution
There’s no way to sugarcoat it. Losing your hair sucks. The hit to your self-esteem is no joke. You might even find yourself avoiding mirrors and hoarding hats. The treatment options are limited, often come with a laundry list of side effects, and deliver results that are about as predictable as a coin flip. It’s...
REAL Drug-Free Back Pain Relief
Recently, I’ve had several exasperated people ask me, “Is back pain something I just have to live with?” I battled chronic back pain for years, so I completely understand why some folks feel so hopeless about finding relief. In fact, I used to think I was doomed to a life of pain and limitations, too....
Mailbag: When to Worry About Memory Lapses
“I’ve been experiencing some memory lapses recently, and I’m worried it might be early signs of Alzheimer’s disease. My mother also had it. What symptoms should I look out for?” – Ann Hi Ann, It’s important to recognize that some degree of memory loss is a normal part of life. Our brains constantly process and...
The Unforeseen Link Between Your Gut and Your Waistline
As the weather warms up and summer approaches, many of us start thinking about shedding those extra pounds… We dust off our gym memberships, stock up on salad greens, and vow to finally fit into those shorts from last year. But what if I told you that the key to achieving a healthy weight might...
Defy Aging with the Sunshine Vitamin
If there’s one thing you absolutely must do for your health, it’s to maintain healthy vitamin D levels. I can’t stress this enough. And if you think vitamin D is only good for beefing up your bones, think again. Because while vitamin D is crucial for maintaining healthy bones, recent research has revealed that this...
Detox Your Drinking Water with a Microplastics Purge
We’re surrounded by plastics. They’re everywhere, from the obvious plastic shampoo bottle to the not-so-obvious clothing on our backs. From the moment we get up in the morning until we slide beneath the sheets at night, we are in contact with them. Heck, some bedsheets contain plastic fibers, so you may ALSO be exposed while...
The TRUTH About Word Finding Troubles
Picture this. You’re having a lively conversation with a friend, and suddenly, find yourself grasping for a word that’s just out of reach. You KNOW it’s in there somewhere, hiding in the recesses of your mind. But no matter how hard you try, you can’t seem to pin it down. When you have trouble word...
FDA Finally Admits “BANNED” Soda Ingredient is Unsafe
I’m not a soda fan for MANY reasons. I wrote an entire book on the dangers of sugar, for example. And research links soda drinking to fatty liver disease, heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and Alzheimer’s. And the diet stuff is no better. Fake-sugar-filled diet sodas cause “metabolic confusion,” and artificial sweeteners are...