random paragraphs from notes / page under construction

Naomi Shullman states that one of the ways to fuel our brains is to move - which brings me to Casey’s article on walking.  Casey began walking when she dropped therapy, as she put it, due to her “own personal economic recession”.

I love walking.  I am sure it is one of the reasons that I was happier living in both Chicago and New York.  In those two cities, walking is just another part of life, not something one has to fit into their daily schedule.  In my personal opinion, walking also builds a sense of community.  It’s much easier to get to know your neighbors when you walk past them on the street vs. cruising by them in a car. 

In walking neighborhoods life is lived on a different scale.  Grocery shopping is generally done every couple of days vs. on a weekly or bi-weekly basis because the bags would be too heavy to carry home.  So people shop more frequently, subsequently getting to know the proprietors of the shops where they make their purchases.  A side benefit is that it’s easier to eat ‘fresh’ vs. consuming food that is processed or canned and loaded with preservatives.

I walk or run rain or shine.  In fact, walking or running in the rain has its own distinct advantages.  No one can hear me scream . . . a practice I’ve found, when done purposefully, sometimes helps release tension.  No one can see me cry . . . my tears and the water falling from the sky mix.  Studies have shown that, when practiced regularly over a period of time, aerobic exercise is as beneficial in treating depression as medication.  (Don’t ask me to look that up for you right now; I’m too tired.)  I guess, then, as is the case for Casey, walking may also be my therapy.

In the planned community of Daybreak on the edge of Salt Lake City, UT most children walk to school.  This promotes community involvement since the children meet more children from their classes that actually live in their neighborhood.  The planned community was designed for pedestrians and advocates walking not just as a healthy activity, but as a social activity that helps build neighborhoods.  Daybreak planner, Stephen James, states that the villages are "scaled to the human pace and provide a diverse set of everyday destination such as parks, schools, churches, shops, offices and community centers" (Maffly).

WORKS CITED

Brownson, RC; Housemann, RA; Brown, DR: Jackson-Thompson, J; King, AC; Malone, BR; Sallis, JF.  “Promoting Physical Activity in Rural Communities: Walking Trail Access, Use and Effects.”  American Journal of Preventive Medicine.  Apr; 18 (3) 2010. 235-41.

Casey, Nell.  “The Walking Cure.”  Whole Living Magazine. Vol, etc. vs month October 2010.  what pages?

Maffly, Brian.  “Planned Communities Promote Walking to School.”  The Salt LakeTribune.  www.sltrib.com. August 13, 2010, updated September 30, 2010.  Retrieved October 15, 2010.

Shullman, Naomi.  “Older and Wiser.”  Whole Living Magazine. October 2010.

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