Senior Connections Senior Connections June 2019

Happiness is just a few steps away ture. We just don’t notice much of it when we drive past at 55 miles per hour. Walking gives us the freedom to stop and ex- plore along the way. It can be dangerous to do that on the highway, but it is generally safe when one is walking. I am often amazed at the variety of textures, Curmudgeon’s Corner sounds, sights, and smells one encounters in IVAN RACONTEUR • EDITOR nature. I sometimes pause and close my eyes and try It’s easy for us forget in this cynical world, but it is still true that the best things in life are to identify the things around me just by their sound and smell. free. Plants and trees each have their own aroma, A recent study conducted by researchers from the University of Michigan and Edge Hill and they combine to create a bouquet of fra- University in England conﬁ rmed what many of grance on the breeze. We might smell damp earth or standing wa- us already knew: walking is good for us. ter in a ditch. They found that people who walked in na- Walking gets the blood circulating and gives ture at least once per week experienced posi- tive emotions and less stress. In other words, us a dose of fresh air. The health beneﬁ ts of taking a hike in nature they were happier. seem superior to the beneﬁ ts of anything we vnts at home or at the ofﬁ ce, and in-between, we travel in the steel and glass cocoons of our can pick up at the pharmacy, and walking is free, with no co-pay and no maximum annual automobiles. When I am walking, my hearing becomes beneﬁ t. We are fortunate to live in a state in which sharper. Instead of blocking out activity around me, I begin to notice and identify a variety of most of us can ﬁ nd a place to enjoy nature within minutes from our homes. sounds. There are a wealth of parks, trails, lakes, and I hear the birds and forest creatures going rivers just waiting to be explored. about their business. There are health consequences to not walk- I hear things like the wind in the treetops, ing enough, but I have not heard of anyone and branches rubbing together. overdosing on walking. Underfoot, I feel the texture of the ground. It can improve our health, reduce stress, and I can hear and feel my breathing. Let’s face it – I don’t hike as much as I would like to make us happier. This combination makes hik- (or as much as I should), so I probably breathe ing a sweet deal, and no membership fee is re- quired. more heavily than I ought to when I am out on the trail. Nonethe- less, I can feel my lungs contracting and expanding. This goes on all • Video Inspection & Location • Maintenance Agreements day long, but I • Commercial, Residential, & Farm • Hydro Jetting am oblivious to it • Environmentally Safe Products most of the time. One of the FAST, fun things about Call Genie Drain Cleaning today! EFFECTIVE, spending time Your drain and sewer specialists SERVICE outdoors is real- izing that what �� might appear to be empty space is rarely empty. www.geniedrains.com There is a lot going on in na- W is h it A w ay by C a lli ng To day (320) 587-4110 6 Senior Connections HJ.COM

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