A strolling companion improves health, dedication | Well being

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If you read Dr. Having read Victor Sierpina for any length of time, you have likely read the phrase “exercise is lotion” when it comes to the benefits of exercise.

Research has shown that 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise plus some strength training improves your quality of life. These benefits include increased strength, better balance, less pain, improved functional capacity, reduced risk of fractures, improved heart health, and a 33 percent reduced risk of death compared to those who did not exercise. One of the best exercises you can do is walk for 20 to 30 minutes a day.

Well, when I say “stroll” I don’t mean a casual stroll along the shore or the beach while avoiding tourists and occasionally stopping to fetch a clam. I mean a brisk walk where you can’t have a conversation without stopping to take a deep breath. This will increase your heart rate to give you the health benefits of exercising.

But let’s face it, it can be difficult to develop the motivation to develop a regular walking habit. One of the easiest ways to get used to it is to find a hiking partner.

Studies have shown that walking with a partner improves your chances of losing weight, exercising longer, and can even help you quit smoking. People who walk regularly have increased self-esteem, better sleep, less stress, and better symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Many factors play a role in making these improvements. One of them is the act of being in nature. Research shows that physical activity in natural settings such as forests or on the beach improves mood and health. If only there was a state park or beach nearby that we could use to get some great outdoors.

Going out with someone is more fun and has been shown to create deeper interpersonal connections. Couples who regularly go for walks together report improved positive feelings about their spouse and marriage.

For example, when my spouse and I go for a walk, we spend time without an agenda. No kids to get to an activity, no bills to pay, no clutter to clean up. It’s also safer to go with a partner in case something happens. I also believe that the decision to go with someone has something deeper and even spiritual about it. It is a physical manifestation of your obligation to go through life together.

Now one last caveat regarding walking with a partner. Don’t slow down or be distracted. While this connection is important, one of your primary goals should be exercise. Encourage each other to keep up the pace. Also try to keep your phones off. With that tiny screen in front of us, of course, we go slower.

To learn more about the benefits of walking and other health tips, visit “Walk With a Doc” when it starts again from the University of Texas Medical Branch’s Integrative Medicine student group.

Dr. Samuel Mathis is an assistant professor in the family medicine department of the UTMB.