Lately I’ve been exploring the notion that almost all of life’s problems can be solved by one simple prescription: “Go for a walk.”
Kids are driving you crazy? Go for a walk. Need to lose weight? Go for a walk. Feeling depressed? Go for a walk. Can’t sleep? Go for a walk.
Sometimes the prescription needs an addendum. Struggling with a major life change? Go for a walk and figure it out. Is your job stressful? Go for a walk on your lunch break and escape for a while. Problems with your spouse? Go for a walk together and talk it over. Short on cash? Go for walk on the beach instead of to the movies. Want to stop global warming? Go for a walk instead of driving your car.
This prescription works on kids too. Sibling squabbles? Go for walk and cool down. Video games turning your brain to mush? Go for a walk and clear Minecraft from your head. Freaking out over homework? Go for a walk and come back fresh.
When it comes to school, I see a huge difference between walking my daughter to campus instead of driving. There’s something about fresh air and pumping blood that promotes clarity. What a great way to start off the morning.
But my son’s school is 5 miles away so walking him to school isn’t an option. His choices are a rowdy bus ride or a peaceful drive listening to KPLU.
With my son and other kids like him, it is not just the distance that makes walking to school impossible, it is also the sidewalk conditions.
Sidewalk shortage is a serious issue all across Snohomish county. Many neighborhoods have heavy traffic and offer no safe passage for pedestrians.
The dearth of sidewalks did not bother me when my children were little and strapped into strollers. Five-point harnesses meant there was no danger of them wandering away. Once they were ambulatory however, we all had to be more careful.
From our house to the nearest park sidewalks come, go, start and disappear. In many places we end up walking in a drainage ditch.
I could understand this if we lived in the country, but not in a residential neighborhood. As a mom, I feel like urban planners have let my family down.
But what can I do about the lack of sidewalks? Go for a walk?
Maybe I was wrong and going for a walk is not the cure-all I thought it was. Or maybe I need to add an addendum.
The next time I go for a walk I will pay attention to all of those campaign signs dotting the landscape. When I get home I will jot off quick emails to the candidates that all say the same thing: I am a mom in Snohomish County who thinks we need better sidewalks. Please tell me your plans to make that happen.
Jennifer Bardsley lives in Edmonds. Her book “Genesis Girl” is scheduled to be released in 2016. Find her online on Instagram @the_ya_gal, Twitter @jennbardsley or at teachingmybabytoread.com.
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