Nordic Walking: A Nurse's Path to Health and a Vision for Aging Well

Lee Jeong-ok, a nurse at the Department of Surgery at Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, first encountered Nordic walking in late 2019, just as the COVID-19 pandemic began its global spread. Seeking ways for healthcare workers to maintain their health amidst lockdowns, she and colleagues from various fields like pharmacy and social work discovered this activity. Lee found that Nordic walking offered significant exercise benefits for the time invested and could be practiced outdoors while adhering to social distancing measures. She pursued instructor certification, completing all levels within eight months. Initially, a group of six received instruction from Joo Yeon-seo, then secretary-general of the International Nordic Walking Association. Lee recalls that even simple movement in nature provided strength during challenging times. She dedicated herself to training, practicing with fellow members two to three times a week for extended sessions, often on the scenic trails near her hospital. She found solace and healing in the forest, preferring it over flat terrain. Lee, who previously enjoyed hiking and mountain biking, shifted her focus to Nordic walking, recognizing its suitability for long-term, low-impact exercise as she aged. The dual upper and lower body engagement of Nordic walking, combined with exercising on inclines like those on Wonmisan Mountain's circular trail, proved highly effective for weight loss, contributing to her shedding 11 kg by 2022. She highlights how Nordic walking promotes good posture, emphasizing the crucial role of shoulder movement and full-body engagement for greater calorie expenditure. A shift in her work schedule in January 2023, moving from the emergency center to the surgery department, presented new challenges. The increased demands and potential for extended hours, coupled with menopausal symptoms and family responsibilities, made it difficult to maintain her exercise routine. Despite these hurdles, she is adapting by utilizing weekends and commutes to re-establish her Nordic walking practice. Lee's long-term vision is to integrate Nordic walking into the daily lives of the elderly. She hopes to collaborate with local communities to encourage seniors to engage in outdoor walking rather than sedentary activities, thereby improving their time management and health. She believes this also connects to future employment opportunities, allowing individuals to remain active in community care roles post-retirement. Lee stresses the importance of Nordic walking in preventing falls among the elderly by maintaining muscle strength and balance. She envisions a future where seniors can easily walk several kilometers using poles, transforming their quality of life. She asserts that walking is an exercise accessible to everyone until the very end, and learning the correct technique is vital. Nordic walking, she concludes, offers the solution for extending not just lifespan, but healthspan, the years lived in good health and independence.

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Don't we need to be healthy ourselves to take care of patients?