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.
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