OPPapers.com

Walking

To be honest, we live easy lives: automatic dishwashers, T.V. remote controls, automatic garage door openers, etc.   We live in a time saving, convenient society.   It's a wonderful life. Or is it?   While today's luxuries have been welcomed by the masses, they have also been accused of turning us into passive couch potatoes. I want to urge you to get off the couch and get moving.
Americans live a sedentary lifestyle at the expense of their health.   The average American spends 15-18 hours in front of the T.V. each week.   This means that about 40% of our leisure time is spent watching T.V.   Ironically, it is reported that we really don't like many of the shows we watch.
Evidence shows that our sedentary lifestyle is bad for our mental and physical state of mind.   Studies have shown that people are experiencing serious depression more now than in the 19th century when life and work was considered more difficult.   Also, they indicate that those who don't walk are at a greater risk for heart disease.
Fortunately, there is something we can do about this and that is to walk.   Walking for just twenty minutes three days a week can greatly reduce the risk for developing heart disease and improve your mental health.   It is an inexpensive form of exercise that requires no training.   Being on your own two feet is restful, no one is climbing on your back, leaning on the horn, and if something catches your eye, you can stop without being rear-ended. We can take shortcuts in life and cut our life short or we can lessen the risk of heart disease and improve our mental health by making an effort to walk.
In conclusion, I urge you to start walking.   A simple, easy activity.   Park at the back of parking lots and walk.   Take 20 minutes and walk around the neighborhood.   Hide the T.V. remote, get off the couch and walk for your heart's sake.