How Could We Make Bristol an Even Better Place to Live?

“Walking is man’s medicine.” — Hippocrates (460-375 BC) Wow, have we as a society taken a step backward when it comes to our well-being?

Physical inactivity is a fairly new event. Over the last few years, our society has become more and more sedentary. This cultural shift over the last decade to a more sedentary lifestyle is literally killing us. Modern life has evolved to the point where physical activity is no longer necessary. We drive to the bank to cash a check, pay our bills online, shop online, sit at our desk at work, talk to our friends (I use that term lightly) on social media. The Acting Surgeon General declared, “Physical inactivity is the major public health issue in this country.” Notice he didn’t say A major public health issue, he said “THE.”

I truly believe, and am in good company with health care providers and health professionals across the United States, that our society needs a cultural shift that will bring physical activity back into our daily lives. With that being said, I also realize that this is a monumental task and will require support from many health care providers, fitness professionals, community leaders, and individuals within a community. We have to start somewhere and I have a few suggestions, of course.

By now you must know that I indeed think Bristol is a great place to live and raise a family. But what if it could be even better? What if we could have a more walking friendly community. Most adults prefer walking over other forms of physical activity (The Department of Health and Human Services, HHS 2015). Walking is so user-friendly, it’s a great way to catch up with a friend, give the dog some exercise, stroll your child, and it requires no special skills or equipment. It also carries a low risk of injury and can be modified for people with limitations.

What would be involved in a goal to make Bristol a walkable community? I know that requires many resources like more sidewalks, walking/biking trails, and easy access to opportunities to become more active. We have to start somewhere, right? A recent article in the IDEA fitness journal May 2016 titled “Get Them Walking” had the following suggests to communities that want to help their community become healthier. The U.S. Surgeon General’s Step It Up Program urges communities to adopt multiple programs and policy approaches to support walking.

» Enhanced access to places for walking, and more communication on the benefits of walking and exercise

» Social support through the development of organized walking groups

» Individually-adapted health behavior-change programs led by qualified health coaches and health professionals (this could be done at our local community centers)

» Communitywide campaigns with media coverage and promotion, risk factor screening and education, community events and policy or environmental changes. Examples would be: building walking trails, setting up walking groups at a worksite or school, and offering physical activity counseling at community events at different locations

» Easy access for destination walking not just recreational walking, like walking to the park for a concert, walking downtown for dinner, walking to the bank etc…

» Outdoor fitness equipment in our parks is great too, walk to the park, workout and walk home

» More awareness of what Bristol already offers such as, Sugar Hollow Park, Steele Creek Park, The Creeper Trail, Wes Davis Greenway Trail, Weir Dam, and many trails at South Holston Lake just to name a few

All of this requires extensive planning and community support, but starting with just a few of these suggestions would at least head us on the right track.

I hope this article has encouraged you to start thinking about ways we can get Bristol moving, setting an example for other communities to follow. Let me know if you have any other suggestions or want to team up and make this happen.

See you in the gym, walking trails, biking trails, or wherever your feet lead you.