DOCTORS ORDERS
Regular walking is frequently the first thing written on a Green Prescription. At his practice in Cannons Creek, Porirua, Dr Bryan Betty often uses the Green Prescription system. This is an initiative administered by the Ministry of Health that allows patients to be prescribed a programme of physical activity that can be done at home and in their community. It includes a tool for Dr Bryan Betty encouraging modest but still beneficial activities, such as walking. ‘ “Do more exercise” is vague and generic, and can be easily dropped’, he says, ‘But writing a prescription to say “Do 10 minutes here and 10 minutes there” is a way of formalising the conversation. It’s like an agreement,’ he says.
BENEFITS OF WALKING
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Strengthen memory.
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Increase vitamin D levels.
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Gain social connections – meet new people and meet up with ones you already know.
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Gain motivation and purpose – the social support you gain from your walking buddies will help you stay accountable and motivated to reach your fitness goals. After all, it’s much harder to skip a workout when you know your friends are expecting you to be there.
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Shake up your daily routine or build walks into it.
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Connect with nature – getting out into nature boosts endorphins, making you feel better than not going out.
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Boost self-esteem and help keep depression and anxiety at bay. Achieve a regular sense of accomplishment.
SOME WALKING GROUPS AROUND THE MOTU
walkingnewzealand.co.nz/walking-groups www.livingstreets.org.nz/regions www.footstepswalkingclub.com www.meetup.com/en-AU/topics/walkers/nz www.aucklandnaturalhistoryclub.org/about-us.html www.forestandbird.org.nz/branches/wellington/trampingand-walking-wellington www.mywalkinggroup.nz
Photo: NZ Doctors
MY DIABETES JOURNEY… A FRIEND IN YOUR POCKET!
