What’s better for your health?
What’s better for your health — walking with a cardiologist or smoking cigars with friends?
I know this question sounds nutty to some of you, but let’s chat about it for a bit. First, let me describe both activities.
I walked with a group of patients and some health care professionals a few weeks ago. I spoke with members of the group and enjoyed the camaraderie. The description of this activity appeared in the St. Peter’s Health Partners electronic newsletter last year. “Five years ago, ‘ Walk with a Doc’ debuted in Troy. Every month, Samaritan and St. Mary’s Hospitals invite the public to join cardiologists on a walk downtown along the riverfront. One of the cardiologists, Dr. Benton, said previously about the group, “I wanted to thank the volunteers who make this program possible, and I want to thank you, the walkers, who are taking charge of your lives and who are making a difference for yourselves,” Dr. Benton said. “For physicians like Dr. Morris and myself, there is nothing more heartening than to see someone make a real effort to improve their health.” These milelong walks help get people moving, provide an opportunity to meet new friends, and offer the chance to learn about heart health and ask medical questions in an informal, relaxed setting. Sounds like a reasonable, rational approach to overall health.
I know more about the second group because some are my childhood friends. They are, in my opinion, a group of mumbling, bumbling lunatics who immensely enjoy mocking each other, the rulers of any country, and any other humans who are not like them. They have been meeting on Saturday mornings for over 10 years to “interact” and smoke premium cigars. When the weather gets cold, they gather at the business office of one of the “participants.”
I interviewed members of the group who wanted to be identified by nicknames versus occupations or real names. I asked them simply what was more beneficial for their health: their group or the cardiologists group. Here are their responses:
• Consiglieri. ( This guy is Irish.) He said he gave up cigars but enjoys the friendship of the others.
• Superman. He also said that he doesn’t smoke. He indi- cated that because he doesn’t have any friends, that this experience is helpful and relaxing.
• Former bar owner and La Salle Institute football star. He declined to use a nickname and said that the group helped him solve problems and have fun. He also said, “We can walk any time we want to.”
• Troy enthusiast. He stated that, “The health benefits or consequences depended on the quality of the cigar.” He added, “You can’t solve the world’s problems with a cardiologist.”
• A second Troy enthusiast. He said simply, “Walking helps you to live longer.”
• Banana John. He said that he was an ex-sports writer. With a quizzical look on his face he said, “Smoking with friends is better. I don’t really know why.”
• Doc. This guy had some kind of legit Ph.D. Not the kind that you can get in the mail or over the internet. “Social net- works are important in dealing with health and behavioral health issues. While any kind of tobacco use should be frowned upon, the support that the group provides to each other is extremely important in dealing with many personal issues.” His comments were intelligent, but I was disappointed that he didn’t come up with something funny and original.
• Italian Guy. This guy said that he walks a lot to funerals of people who exercise regularly.
• Monk. He stated that when the group meets, “Nobody bothers you, the therapy is free, and there is no copay.”
Obviously, there are many variables that are involved in studying this question the right way.
John Ostwald is professor emeritus of psychology at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy. Email him at jrostwald33@gmail.com.