You Don’t Have to Walk Alone

According to the National Institute on Aging, exercise is essential for healthy aging. Not only does exercise help to reduce the risks of chronic diseases, but it may also help to improve balance, help manage pain, and maintain function and quality of life.

Walking is a low impact form of exercise that is good for your health. An AARP article titled 8 Ways to Walk More touts many benefits of walking, including a longer lifespan, improved memory, healthy weight, better vision, improved sleep, reduced stress and depression, and faster recovery after medical procedures. Even sedentary seniors who begin a walking program can reap the benefits of starting an exercise routine later in life.

For Northwest Neighbors Village members and others, beginning a walking routine couldn’t be easier. On Friday mornings, NNV offers volunteer-led walks. These moderately paced walks last for about an hour and take place at Rock Creek Park or Tenleytown, depending on the day. Not only are these walks great for your physical health, they’re a boost for your mental health too! Village walkers enjoy conversation and company while walking with others. Volunteer walk leader Sal Selvaggio says it best, “Our walks give participants a chance to get to know each other better, to discuss topics both profound or breezy, and to just enjoy the outside.” Each walk has two leaders, one for moderate paced walkers and another for walkers who either prefer or need a slower pace. Now that the nice weather is upon us, we hope you will join us! Our walks are now open to everyone, members and neighbors alike! For more information or to sign up, visit our website calendar or contact us at 202-935-6060 or info@nnvdc.org.

As always, please check with your healthcare provider if you are looking to start a new walking program or any other new form of exercise.

We hope to walk with you soon!

Warm regards,
Stephanie

P.S. Last month, Stephanie Miller, founder of Zero Waste in DC talked with NNV about sustainability. In honor of Earth Month, NNV will share weekly tips that we learned from Stephanie’s presentation. Here’s this week’s tip:

Compost! Food scraps in landfills produce methane, but composting prevents methane production. DC has Food Waste bins around the city. In our area, there is one in front of Tenleytown Library and Chevy Chase Library. You can access the bins with the MetroKey app. Learn more here