PRAIRIE DOC®
  • Home
  • About
  • People
  • TV
  • Perspective
  • Donate
  • Friends/Sponsors of the Prairie Doc
  • Radio and Podcasts
  • Contact
  • Foundation
  • Prairie Doc Publishing

May 22nd, 2018

5/22/2018

 
Research tells us that regardless your age, exercising just 30 minutes daily of even mild to moderate walking increases energy levels, improves mood, and actually increases longevity. I submit that doing this outside is even better, weather permitting. Of course, on the northern high plains, sometimes the weather forces us to an indoor gym or to the personal exercise machine in the basement to get activity, but that’s OK too.

However, when we can, we should get out of the igloo and do our exercise outside. When the sun’s rays come pouring through our pupils, they not only give us vitamin D to strengthen our bones, but those rays tell our brains that we are alive. The views we see of the outside clue us into the changing cycle-rhythm of the day and season, prevent that seasonal affective disorder, and provide for a sense of a spiritual light of hope. Going outside, when possible, is very good for us.

Better yet, getting outside in South Dakota every season of the year makes the modern adventurer realize why they call this the “Land of Infinite Variety”. I especially relish my daily one-mile round trip walking trek to my morning café for breakfast and coffee (even in inclement weather when I have to put on boots and get all bundled up in my hooded 40 below winter coat). That said, there are many pleasant days in South Dakota throughout all four seasons.

I have wonderful memories of enjoying the outside in South Dakota. These include Black Hills riding snow-mobiles, down-hill skiing, and steep hill hiking to the summit of Black Elk’s Peak; spring and fall hiking through Oakwood Lakes and Lake Poinsett State Parks; sailing in the yearly Lake Poinsett Sailing Regatta; road biking through and around our community of Brookings; east and west river pheasant and deer hunting with friends; working in my vegetable and pepper garden; and walking or running some distance almost EVERY DAY for the last 40 years.

Take it from an experienced physician who has lived here for 57 out of his 69 years and who thinks he’s seen it all. Nothing comes close to improving one’s emotional and physical health than being an active interested person who gets outside and savors all four seasons on the northern high plains land of infinite variety.

Comments are closed.

    Archives

    June 2025
    May 2025
    April 2025
    March 2025
    February 2025
    January 2025
    December 2024
    November 2024
    October 2024
    September 2024
    August 2024
    July 2024
    June 2024
    May 2024
    April 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    December 2023
    November 2023
    October 2023
    September 2023
    August 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed

Subscribe to Newsletter
Picture
PRAIRIE DOC® MEDIA IS A PART OF HEALING WORDS FOUNDATION.

Healing Words Foundation logo
  • Home
  • About
  • People
  • TV
  • Perspective
  • Donate
  • Friends/Sponsors of the Prairie Doc
  • Radio and Podcasts
  • Contact
  • Foundation
  • Prairie Doc Publishing