With Cooler Weather Comes Health Benefits

It’s definitely getting a little cooler, with more to come. Fall is my favorite season, and I think it’s simply because we get a break from the hot, humid summer. The leaves are turning and it’s time to dust off my tennis shoes, go outside and get moving. Hot Springs is such a beautiful area to take advantage of the great weather on one of the wonderful hiking and biking trails and get some exercise.

Garvan Gardens is one of my favorite places to go take a walk. When we moved to Hot Springs about 15 months ago, one of the first things we did was buy a membership to the Gardens. During the cooler months we walked the Gardens at least once a week. Now that fall has arrived organized exercise events are also offered:

 

Health Walks for Beginners – takes place at 9 a.m. now through the end of November on Tuesday mornings. The guided one-mile walk includes an invigorating walk through the colorful autumn plantings and beautiful scenic views at Garvan Gardens.

Health Walks for Intermediates – takes place at 9 a.m. now through the end of November on Monday mornings. The guided walks are three miles and include different routes on over five miles of Garden trails.

Tai Chi in the Gardens – Kathy Packard of the Oaklawn Center on Aging leads Tai Chi, an ancient low-impact method for staying flexible and toned, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. Thursdays through Dec. 4. Participants meet on the Great Lawn for class.

In Hot Springs we have multiple hiking trails including Hot Springs National Park, Lake Catherine State Park, Cedar Glades Park and others. Every Saturday morning at 9:15 a.m. until Jan. 31, 2015, Hot Springs National Park has a guided walk starting at the Fordyce Bathhouse at 369 Central Ave. No reservations are required. Hikers are encouraged to wear sturdy shoes, bring water and insect repellent. For more information go online to www.nps.gov.

Lake Catherine State Park has walks with a park interpreter scheduled for 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. a.m. Saturdays, Oct. 13, 20, and 27. This peaceful walk on the Falls Branch trail is an easy ½-mile short cut to the waterfall. For more information go online to www.arkansasstateparks.com/LakeCatherine.

Cedar Glades Park encompasses 432 acres of cedar forests, panoramic views of streams, miles of nature trails, biking trails and camping areas. The Park is situated near Historic Downtown Hot Springs off Cedar Glades Road. For more information online go to www.hotsprings.org/places/cedar-glades-park-garland-county/.

It’s time to go outside and get moving. In Hot Springs we have so many great places to exercise either individually or as a group. At Diamonhead Resort Community we also enjoy exercise on the golf course, in Aerobics and Strong Women and Men classes, in the weight room, playing disc golf or just taking a walk around Diamondhead. The air is crisp, the leaves are turning and the area is beautiful. For more information on Diamondhead or to schedule a tour, give us a call at 501.520.9201 or 501.262.9310.