A POST-TURKEY TROT
Taking a walk can solve more problems than you think
If this story were an infomercial, the headline would read “WALKING IS A WONDER DRUG” in a moving, glittery font.
But truly, walking is a hidden superpower in a person’s natural arsenal for a healthy physical and mental well-being, said Laura Conely, a walking wellness coach who started Urban Paths. Her business specializes in creating a confidential and nonjudgmental space for people who want to learn the neighborhoods, get some exercise or just go for a walk.
Thanksgiving, notoriously a holiday for overeating and family drama, can be bloat-inducing and stressful. Walking, in nature or in Houston neighborhoods, can help.
For the overeaters: Walking before eating can suppress your appetite. If you walk right after a large meal, studies show that blood sugar levels can stabilize for diabetics and nondiabetics alike, she said.
Stressed out from busybody family members or politics talk at the dinner table?
“A 15-minute walk before you see your in-laws or host a party can help
to destress you a little bit,” Conely said. She added that when you walk, “things are changing in your brain. Even if it’s not a beautiful day, even if it’s cold, there are benefits to being outside and walking.”
Walking requires mindfulness, which she said, helps the mind stop hyperfocusing on the negative. It’s all one foot in front of the other — literally and in life.
While there are several parks, trails and hiking opportunities in and around Houston, Conely is an advocate for neighborhood exploration. She has lived in Montrose for 30 years and still discovers new things when she hits the pavement.
“On Sundays, I just walk by myself, and I leave out my front door and on an adventure for a couple hours. I walk in any direction,” she said. “I encourage people to check out their neighborhoods; connect to your communities and connect to your own health.”