“Walking is Man’s Best Medicine”

Hippocrates

I offer you…A Prescription With a Christian Focus…

Get out the door within an hour of waking. This has a huge impact on your hormones and your brain.

Try to remember to look around you and not at the ground before you.

Give thanks to God who gave you your body, and the ability to walk.  Briefly knowledge that there are many people in this world who cannot walk, either because of physical limitations or living conditions.

Listen to the sounds of nature around you. Appreciate the sound of birds, rain, wind.

Acknowledge and be grateful that God created all of this for your enjoyment, peace and well-being, as He created the garden for Adam and Eve.

Stop at some point, about 10 minutes into the walk, raise your arms up over your head and stretch. 2-3 deep belly breaths, and when you exhale, let out a sound of relief.

Once again, give thanks to God for the air He has given you, and the benefits of oxygen for your blood, organs and brain.  Pray for the strength and knowledge to treat your body as the holy vessel that it is. Respecting, caring, and nourishing it as you would your children’s bodies. For in fact, you are one of His children.

Ask for strength over cravings and passions, and the ability to get up when you fail or fall.

With each person who comes to mind during your walk, give thanks, and pray for them.

At some point during your walk, this ancient prayer of Saint Philaret’s may come to mind.

Lord grant that I may greet this coming day in peace,
Help me in all things to rely upon your Holy will.
In every hour of the day reveal Your will to me.
Bless my dealings with all who surround me.
Teach me to treat all that comes to me with peace of soul and with firm conviction that your will governs all.
In all my deeds and words guide my thoughts and feelings.
In unforeseen events let me not forget that all are sent by You.
Teach me to act firmly and wisely without embarrassing and embittering others,
and help me to bear the fatigue of this coming day and all that it shall bring.
Direct my will, teach me to pray, and yourself pray and me.
Amen

Thank Him for allowing you to wake this morning, and that you have a bed to go to for sleep.

After 30 minutes, proceed to go about your day knowing that your lymphatic system was given a chance to release toxins from your body, that you were able to allow the beauty of His creation to relieve stress that can create inflammation in the body, hormonal imbalances, and lead to cravings, anxiety, and a life that does not reflect your faith.

And go in peace.