From the book: "Walking itself is the intentional act closest to the unwilled rhythms of the body, to breathing and the beating of the heart" (Rebecca Solnit, Wanderlust: A History of Walking. Available in hardcover, paperback, Kindle, and audio).

Why I became a certified Nordic walking instructor

I began Nordic walking a year and a half ago because it was a full-body low-impact exercise. I became a certified instructor through the American Nordic Walking Association (ANWA) because I wanted to share the sport with other people.

Some people who can benefit are obvious:

• Senior citizens who don't need jarring or extreme exercise.
• People rehabilitating from injury.
• People who want to lose weight.
• People who want to manage their cholesterol.

Others who can benefit are athletes, especially large strength athletes looking for cardio without the impact of running and the monotony of aerobic machines in a gym.

One issue caught my attention: the obesity epidemic. A Huffington Post article said there aren't enough specialists to treat the increasing number of obese people. The main points were:

• 38% of people in the US are classified as obese.
• Obesity is related to a number of illnesses and other conditions.
• The US health system rewards treatment instead of prevention.

Nordic walking, because it's exercise, is preventive. How can we be motivated to take up the sport?

• We can do it outside and enjoy the weather.
• We can do it in groups and enjoy each other's company.
• We can do alone and enjoy a time of reflection.

The preventive aspect of Nordic walking should be motivation enough because it feels worse to be sick and have to go through treatment.

Stress, child development, and well-being

I came across an article about research suggesting maternal stress affects motor skills in expectant women. Some points made in the article:

• The researchers tracked 2,900 expectant women, who reported stressful events at 18 and 34 weeks.
• After the children were born, the researchers tested the motor development of the children at ages 10, 14, and 17.
• The children of mothers who reported more than 3 stressful events scored lower on motor skills tests.
• The researchers also found that stressful events later in pregnancy affected motor development more.
• Poor motor skills can affect other areas of children's development and later lives.
• Financial stress was a very common stressor.

Some tidbits I've come across over the years:

• My wife and I took a course at our church called Financial Peace University that emphasized staying out of debt. I'm sure there are other such programs offered in communities. This happened to be the one we took.
• The point was that debt, specifically credit card debt, was a major source of stress.
• We've been successful at managing our credit card debt, and other people in that course have gone to a cash only lifestyle to stay out of debt.
• That usually involves follow the adage: Use it up or wear it out; make it do or do without.
• I've seen where researchers say that prayer supports, among other benefits, better health and stress relief. The spiritual is oft neglected in our hurry-up world. There are a number of resources for prayer that can get you stared.

It goes without saying exercise is an important antidote to the negative effects of stress and anxiety. I would like to suggest that Nordic walking can be a core activity for dealing with stress. Here are some thoughts on the relationship between Nordic walking and stress:

• Expectant women can enjoy the benefits of full-body exercise because Nordic walking is low impact.
• Nordic walking facilitates reflective mindsets because you're outdoors and in natural surroundings. Pray on your own? The outdoors, especially trails, provides a great environment for that.
• You compete against yourself, not others, when you're Nordic walking. That means you can focus on improving against your own efforts and tailoring your efforts to your needs and goals. That in itself can be a stress reducer.