Here is the content of a recent newsletter from Dr. Suneel Dhand that reinforces what I already know.
I admitted a 97-year-old gentleman recently to hospital. Wonderful man. Sharp mind, full of personality, looked very strong— honestly came across as someone at least 20 years younger. You can usually tell very quickly when someone has looked after themselves throughout life. They just carry themselves differently. He was still in the emergency room (thankfully nothing too serious) and accompanied by his daughter. So I asked him something I always ask patients like this: “What’s your secret?” He shrugged and smiled. “Oh, I just walk everywhere.” That was his answer. No complicated diet. No complicated workout routine. Just walking. And the more I thought about it afterwards, the more profound it sounded. Because human beings were built to walk. Our ancestors weren’t sitting in traffic, sitting at desks, sitting on sofas staring at screens all evening. They moved constantly. They walked across land, fields, villages, hills. Daily life involved movement from morning until night. Modern life has completely detached us from that. Everything now is designed to make us move less: Food delivery. Drive-thru coffee Escalators. Remote controls. Online shopping. Endless sitting. Then we wonder why so many people feel sluggish, stiff, overweight, inflamed and mentally drained. I know several people who don’t really “exercise” formally at all— but they walk constantly: and they’re slim, healthy and energetic. Now of course I still strongly recommend strength training. Muscle matters enormously for long-term health and independence. But walking is badly underrated. It’s actually a superpower. Especially walking after meals (one of the best things you can do for insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control is simply walking after eating for even 15-20 minutes). Your body handles glucose better, blood sugar spikes improve and you feel less sluggish afterwards. It’s one of the simplest habits I recommend. You can certainly track steps if you want to (especially if you’re curious or just getting started)— but if it’s simply a part of your life you won’t need to. I would say I was amazing at walking throughout my university years and then at various times in my 20s when I used to visit cities like Manhattan a lot. Then I fell out of touch a bit, but have completely got back into the habit now! In fact, when I’m working in the hospital and have any downtime before moving to a different floor (ward) I step outside and do a lap around the hospital before coming back in. I do this multiple times a day and it also gives me an energy boost (along with taking the stairs instead of the elevator). And honestly, walking helps far more than physical health and burning calories. Some of my clearest thinking happens while walking. Solutions to problems walking. I get video ideas walking. And of course newsletter ideas walking! Sometimes I literally stop mid-walk and type notes into my phone because another idea has come into my head. There’s something about walking that clears mental clutter. You breathe differently, think differently. Stress settles down. I always like giving the advice, if you are feeling stressed, anxious, or angry: just go for a 20 minute walk and I challenge you to not feel a lot better afterwards. Thomas Jefferson once said:
I think he was right on so many levels. I know many of you reading this already walk regularly, which is fantastic. But in a world constantly pushing convenience and inactivity, it doesn’t hurt to be reminded how powerful something simple can be. A healthy 97-year-old reminded me of it again recently. And when someone reaches 97 looking vibrant and full of life, I pay attention to what they say. Best wishes and keep going on your health journey, |
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