Combat the Flu with that Daily Walk or Bike Ride!
Walking School Bus at East End Community School
According to a Jan. 5th Wall Street Journal article:
“Physical activity has long been known to bestow such benefits as helping to maintain a healthy weight and reduce stress, not to mention tightening those abs. Now, a growing body of research is showing that regular exercise-as simple as a brisk 30- to 45-minute walk five times a week-can boost the body’s immune system, increasing the circulation of natural killer cells that fight off viruses and bacteria. And exercise has been shown to improve the body’s response to the influenza vaccine, making it more effective at keeping the virus at bay.
‘No pill or nutritional supplement has the power of near-daily moderate activity in lowering the number of sick days people take,’ says David Nieman, director of Appalachian State University’s Human Performance Lab in Kannapolis, N.C. Dr. Nieman has conducted several randomized controlled studies showing that people who walked briskly for 45 minutes, five days a week over 12 to 15 weeks had fewer and less severe upper respiratory tract infections, such as colds and flu. These subjects reduced their number of sick days 25% to 50% compared with sedentary control subjects, he says…”
Source: http://tinyurl.com/y9r9a6s , Title: “The Hidden Benefits of Exercise” by Laura Landro
The beauty of green commuting is that it also puts you in touch with the season. It’s often the only time all day we really get a chance to connect with the outdoors – walking, biking, or even if strolling to the bus stop, or waiting for a carpool. It’s when we really find out what the weather is doing outside or discover the sun has come out (or has disappeared). At this time of year, it also means we need to be prepared for colder temperatures and less light. That’s no problem if we all just use our common sense and keep a few things in mind!
Tips from Local Green Streeters for Walking & Biking in Winter
- In general: Protect extremities like feet, hands, ears (good socks, hats, gloves). Wear layers on your torso in case you need to take something off once you start moving.
- Walking: Wear something highly visible. Be especially careful making street crossings in the dark. Allow extra time and take extra care moving about when conditions are icy or snowy (several Green Streeters recommend hiking poles as invaluable!). When temperatures really descend, nothing beats a well wrapped scarf or face mask and a pair of trusty snow/insulated pants.
- Biking: Think high visibility! Light-colored pants, a fluorescent jacket or one of those orange construction worker vests – things with lots of reflective material. Red blinking lights can be had starting at under $10 from a bike store. Buy several! Headlights, blinking or steady, vary greatly in size and price, and are also available from a bike store. Maine law states that bicycles at night are required to have a white light in front, and a red or amber light or reflector in the rear, both visible to at least 200’ – and well as reflective material on the pedals, feet, or ankles. Follow the rules of the road for cyclists – shown here beautifully thanks to the Bicycle Coalition of Maine – especially important when car drivers can’t see as well or respond as quickly. Clothing for winter cycling: It’s easy to overdress on the torso (you probably don’t need a puffy coat after the first mile or so). Worry more about extremities like feet, hands, ears, face. Check out a local year-round bike commuter’s take on it all (with photo!)
- And if you are walking, biking (or taking transit or carpooling) don’t forget to log in and register with GoMAINE Commuter Connections and sign up for the Emergency Ride Home Guarantee.
Source: http://tinyurl.com/y9r9a6s
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Title: “The Hidden Benefits of Exercise”
Author:Laura Landro