"Walking is man's best medicine"

Hippokrates or Hypokrates of Kos (or Hippocrates of Cos), born ca. 460 BC, died ca. 370 BC.  The great Greek physician is known as the “father of medicine.”  The Western world simply knows him as Hippocrates.  It is from Hippocrates that we get the Hippocratic Oath, a pledge by physicians to practice medicine ethically.   Hippocrates’ work and dedication to the field of medicine, his founding of the Hippocratic School of medicine, and his direct contributions, all made it possible to establish the field of medicine as a separate profession; apart from philosophy and theurgy (involving magic and rituals).

Hippocrates was documented as performing the first chest surgeon.  He would categorize illnesses as acute, chronic, endemic, and epidemic.   And, he believed disease was not a punishment exacted by a supernatural being, but a product of one’s environment, diet and living habits.   But as complex as his work may have been, and as numerous the contributions to medicine there may have been, Hippocrates’ best medical advice for man: walk.   It’s just that simple.

So to improve one’s health, get a better night sleep, and lower stress levels, the easiest way to gain these, and other benefits, is to walk.   After all, “walking is man’s best medicine.”  So says Hippokrates of Kos.  

For more ways walking can improve your health, visit http://www.examiner.com/x-17524-Detroit-Walking-Fitness-Examiner.

Remember:  Consult your physician before starting any exercise and/or diet regimen.