Seeking Serenity }} The Case for
Self-Propelled Leisure
JUDY PAUL, WRITER-AT-LARGE
strokes, cancer and diabetes. It can keep blood pressure The lake is like glass and with each kayak stroke I steady, improve sleep, stabilize our weight, overcome feel like I’m flying. Sunlight shimmers on the water like anxiety and boost self-esteem. diamonds. Gliding up to a loon, I am close enough to Travelling on foot can also slow down the mind. see its white necklace before it slips below the surface. As wilderness writer Edward Abbey reminds us, “Life is As I paddle around the smooth, rocky islands I feel a deep already too short to waste on speed … Walking makes connection to the elements. the world much bigger and therefore more interesting. I fell in love with canoeing, cross-country skiing and You have time to observe the details.” Hearing birdwilderness tripping as a teenager. Drawn to the chalsong, noticing animal lenge and exhilaration tracks, being surroundof moving through the ed by the silence of natural environment the snowy woods: the without using gasoline experiences that feed or batteries, I made our souls require a these activities part of slower, quieter pace. my life. Now, over 40 Many self-propelled years later, they seem leisure pursuits are more important than easy to do with a little ever as our well-being investment in acquiring and that of the planet skills and equipment. hinge on a slower lifestyle more attuned to Hiking boots, a small nature. On past outings daypack and some binoculars will get you I’ve caught a glimpse of started hiking and birda moose on the shore, watching. While you and watched an osprey can paddle a canoe feeding its young. or cross-country ski Research tells us the first time on your that exercise and connecting to nature are own, some initial essential to our physical The lake is like glass and with each instruction will give you greater enjoyment and mental health. Nick kayak stroke I feel like I’m flying. and confidence. In Cavill of the University Sunlight shimmers on the Haliburton County, of Oxford’s department water like diamonds. Yours Outdoors proof public health points vides instruction and out that moving around guided experiences to introduce you to a range of is what we were made to do. We are essentially huntergatherers, designed to be physically active all day long, recreational activities. Kawartha Lakes residents looking for something new to do should consider that every outdoors rather than inside. Moving our bodies in the natural environment helps us to stave off heart disease, CONT’D ON PAGE 24
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