Ann Pietrangelo
Ann Pietrangelo is a freelance writer, eCommerce entrepreneur, and author of "No More Secs! Living, Laughing & Loving Despite Multiple Sclerosis.
Contact: writer@webcampone.com
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Contact: writer@webcampone.com
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Displaying Results 1 - 95 (of 95) for All Content
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I Survived Cancer: Now I Need to Beat MSLast year I was in a fight for my life against triple-negative breast cancer. This year I'm celebrating life by walking to raise funds for the National MS Society.
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How to Use Baby Shower FavorsMom and baby are the center of attention at the baby shower, but it's the friends and family who make it all possible. Gracious hostesses show appreciation for their guests with a token of thanks -- the baby shower favor.
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Beyond the Pink: Breast Cancer Awareness is in the DetailsIt's pink ribbon time again. That time of year when we're bombarded with all things pink to bring attention to breast cancer, it's causes, treatment, and funding for research.
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How to Prevent Accidental Poisoning in the HomeIn the time it takes to answer the phone or the doorbell, a child can locate and swallow a poisonous substance.
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The Scoop on Poop and ProbioticsLet's face it '" we all poop and there are important things we should know about poop if we want to understand our own health.
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The Madness and the Mystery of Multiple Sclerosis (MS)MS is a widely misunderstood disease '" not only by the general public, but even by those who live with it.
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5 Ways to Partner with Your DoctorIs there such a thing as a "good patient?" Absolutely -- a good patient is one who partners with doctors and other medical professionals, taking a proactive role rather than a passive or adversarial role.
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Cartoon Characters Make Food Taste BetterCartoon characters on food packages influence children's perception of taste.
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Improve Eating Habits with Mental Imagery and Action PlanMental imagery is a simple and effective way to improve your eating habits. Making an action plan is also a good idea.
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Women Ignored in Heart Device StudiesHeart devices on the market often don't have adequate data on safety and effectiveness in women.
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Popcorn Trivia (Quiz)Popcorn is an inexpensive snack that easily lends itself to family time and sharing.
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An Orange in Your StockingThe memories we carry with us have to do with the simplest things in life. Smiles and hugs. Kind gestures. Breaking bread with loved ones.
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Healthy Holiday Expectations for People with Chronic IllnessDon't let Norman Rockwell's homey visions and Martha Stewart's superior homemaking be the catalyst for your own anxiety.
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You Say 'Death Panel' I Say 'End of Life Planning'Some call it a death panel. Some call it end-of-life counseling. Let's just call it a humane way to face the reality of death.
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Harry Potter Author Donates Millions to Multiple Sclerosis ResearchHarry Potter author J. K. Rowling recently donated £10,000,000 to multiple sclerosis (MS) research '" that translates into more than $15 million U.S. dollars.
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Diabetes: It's Not Always a Silent KillerDiabetes causes approximately 72,499 deaths in the United States every year. The risk of dying from diabetes is about twice that of people without diabetes of similar age.
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Meet America's Number One Killer: Cardiovascular DiseaseCardiovascular disease is America's number one killer -- and a major cause of disability.
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Multiple Sclerosis and Marriage: My Spouse, My CaregiverWhen I received a diagnosis of MS, I had NO choice in the matter. Not yet my husband, the man in my life DID. Imagine the task of having to weigh that issue and actually choose. -
Honoring and Furthering the Dream of Dr. Martin Luther King, JrThe MLK Day of Service is a part of United We Serve, the President's national call to service initiative. It calls for Americans from all walks of life to work together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems.
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I Have Cancer: Thankfully I Also Have Health Insurance... For NowI have cancer. I purchase my health insurance in the individual market. Which should worry me more?
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3 Lifesaving Screening Tests for WomenWhen is the last time you had a pap smear or a mammogram? Have you ever had an HPV test? Do you even know what that is?
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Frostbite and Hypothermia: What You Need to KnowBrrr -- . with much of the nation caught in winter's icy cold grip, this is a good time to remember that exposure to very cold temperatures can cause serious '" even life-threatening '" health consequences.
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Alcohol More Dangerous Than Crack or Heroin, Experts SayAlcohol is more dangerous than drugs like crack cocaine and heroin, both to the individual and to society as a whole.
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Unsung Heroes: Celebrating Family CaregiversAbout 65 million people in the U.S. identify themselves as caregivers. On average, these unsung heroes spend 20 hours per week tending to friends or family members who are chronically ill or have disabilities.
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Living in a Facebook WorldIf you posted a suicide note to your friends on an online social networking site, would anyone reach out to help? Are online friends "real" friends?
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Anyone Can Get Diabetes: Healthy Living Choices May Help You Avoid ItAnyone can get diabetes, but healthy living choices can help us lessen the odds.
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Fruits and Veggies Matter!The CDC has joined with public and private organizations to remind consumers that fruits and vegetables promote better health. It is estimated that ninety percent of Americans do not eat enough fruits and vegetables.
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MS on the Job: Workplace Protections Under ADAOne of the trickiest minefields in the life of a person with chronic illness involves employment. Should you inform your employer and your co-workers?
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What's Lurking on Your Toilet Seat... And Beyond?You might think you are doing your family a favor when you scrub the seat with strong cleansers that are made with harsh chemicals. You are killing germs, right? Yes, but you are also putting those harsh chemicals against very sensitive skin.
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5 Mistakes You Make with Your DoctorThe doctor-patient relationship is the cornerstone of patient-centered, compassionate medicine -- but only if both doctors and patients take responsibility for their role and cooperate in the best of interest of the patient.
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Facing End of Live with DignityDeath. It's a perfectly natural part of life, but somewhere along the way we've developed an unhealthy and sometimes cruel aversion to it. Not discussing imminent death only prolongs suffering for the patient and the family.
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Surgeon General Issues 'Make Breastfeeding Easier' Call to ActionEveryone can help make breastfeeding easier! The Surgeon General outlines steps that can be taken to remove some of the obstacles faced by women who want to breastfeed their babies.
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Aspartame's Sickeningly Sweet ControversyIf you want to get a good discussion going on a controversial subject, just say the word "aspartame."
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Huffing: The Fatal Consequences of IngnoranceChildren have been warned to "just say no to drugs" and told the dangers of illegal substance abuse, but more kids are getting high by huffing legal substances than by marijuana, cocaine, and hallucinogens combined.
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They Want to Suck Your Blood: Not Vampires, but Bed Bugs"Don't let the bed bugs bite," is more than a cute expression. The little blood suckers are making a comeback and causing problems all across the United States.
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How to Get Rid of Bed BugsBed bugs are the stuff of nightmares, and they are making a comeback in the United States.
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Fragile X Syndrome: The BasicsChances are that you've never heard of it, but Fragile X Syndrome is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability affecting an estimated 1 in 4,000 males and 1 in 6,000-8,000 females.
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Do You Have an Emotional Bond with Brand Names?Consumers are forming strong emotional bonds with brands to the point of suffering separation anxiety if they cannot purchase those brands.
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Who Wants Your Umbilical Cord Blood?Did you know that moms and newborns can help critically ill people by donating cord blood?
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Are We Losing Our Empathy?College students today are less empathetic than college students of the past. At least that's what some researchers have concluded, but is that the whole story?
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Backpack Safety TipsBackpacks can cause pain and injury if not used properly.
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Online Health Sites: Use with CautionPatients are turning to the Internet for answers and to reach out to other patients, but online health sites must be used with caution.
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Guide to Rights Under Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability in employment, state and local government, public accommodations, commercial facilities, transportation, and telecommunications.
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Cancer, MS, and a Lesson in LoveYou often hear about people diagnosed with life-threatening illness and suddenly realizing how precious a gift life is and how simple our needs truly are...
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Savoring the Privilege of WalkingIf you don't need special parking, please don't resent or judge those who do. It is called a privilege, but no one really wishes for health problems in order to get this privilege. No, people who need it would rather not. Trust me on that.
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Multiple Sclerosis: The Who, What, Where, When, Why & How of ItMultiple Sclerosis (MS)... some call it the MonSter, or the Beast. It is a demyelinating disease, an invisible illness, a mysterious ailment subject to many misconceptions. Who, what, where, when, why, how... all good questions.
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Rescue a Shelter Pet and Get Rescued in ReturnNumerous studies have documented the healing power of animals, but people who have pets don't need scientific proof. Everyone in the family gains from the unconditional affection and bond that pets and humans share.
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"It's Not Me... It's You"Despite evidence to the contrary, most Americans believe they are managing their own health well, while those around them clearly are not. Only 17 percent of us recognize that our own health is going in the wrong direction and we're pointing fingers.
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Honoring Organ and Tissue Donors: It's Easy to RegisterWe're all going to die. However, there is something we can do right now to help others after we've gone. We can offer the precious gift of life through organ donation.
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"Your Love is My Drug""Your love -- your love -- your love -- is my drug." Pop star Kesha sang these words in the summer mega hit, and it turns out that the lyrics from the popular song may contain some truth.
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Handicapped Accessible Parking: A Guilt-Free ZoneThere's nothing quite so irritating as watching a perfectly healthy-looking person step out from a handicapped parking space and stroll into the store. But things are not always as they seem.
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The Concentrated Strength of PatienceSo much can escape our notice in the daily flurry of activity. Many of our fondest memories come from those moments we least expected -- if we are willing to pay attention and alter our pace to fit the moment, not the other way around.
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The Sister EffectRegardless of age, gender, or age differences, affectionate siblings have positive influences on each other, but that having a sister prevents depression more than having a brother.
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Beyond the Disabled LabelIn some cases, yes, but disability, like life, is not always so clear. Is disability simply a physical state-of-being or a state-of-mind -- and does the label matter?
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A Toke a Day Keeps the Doctor AwayAlone in her Birmingham, England home, a woman stirs a half teaspoon of cannabis into her hot tea. By seeking relief from pain and spasms caused by multiple sclerosis in this way she is, in the eyes of the law, a criminal.
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10 Straight Facts About Multiple SclerosisMultiple sclerosis is the ultimate player. First you see it, then you don't. If you are confused about MS, you are far from alone.
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If Laughter is the Best Medicine, I'll Be FineThen there's the time when having MS became the excuse that got me out of an absurdly awkward situation worthy of a sitcom...
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3 Ways to Simplify Life with Chronic IllnessLife with chronic illness tends to be stressful, but there are three things you can do right now to simplify your life.
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Breast Cancer: Not Just for WomenDon't let all those pink ribbons fool you. Men get breast cancer, too. Almost 80 percent of men who are at higher risk for breast cancer don't even know that men can get breast cancer.
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The Healing Power of TearsIt has been said that laughter is the best medicine, but crying can also be very cathartic.
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An Ounce of Prevention in Your HandsYou'd be surprised how many people don't wash their hands after using a public bathroom!
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Proper Hand Washing: Easiest Way to Avoid IllnessHand washing is the simplest -- and cheapest -- way to avoid getting sick and to prevent common illnesses.
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If Breast is Best, Why so Many Obstacles?The general message woman get is that breastfeeding is unacceptable, should be done only for a brief period of time, and completely hidden from view.
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What Causes 99,000 Deaths and is Largely Preventable?It is one of the top ten leading causes of death in the United States, responsible for an estimated 99,000 deaths per year. It is largely preventable and hits you when you're down.
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Life with Chronic Illness: Who to Tell, When, and How MuchYou don't have to share the status of your health with everyone you know. You should make that decision based on your individual circumstances.
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10 Tips for Managing Daily Living with Multiple SclerosisSometimes it's the little things that make a big difference in quality of life and maintaining independence.
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Sharing a Life Altered by Multiple SclerosisIt is possible to share the bad as well as the good and to do it without wallowing or complaining. It is simply stating the facts of life. If others can't handle it, that's not your problem... but people just might surprise you.
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How Pets Raise Spirits and Improve HealthMost people who have a pet don't need scientific proof. Their own experiences are enough to confirm that the bond between humans and pets is enormously beneficial to physical and emotional health. -
The Rush of the Tanning BedDo you feel a rush when you get a tan? Do you feel anxious when you don't? If you need a tanning booth fix, those could be warning signs that you are addicted to tanning.
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Wendy Booker, Mountain Climber with MS: "I'm Not Done Yet"Wendy Booker was on a mission to be the first person with MS to climb The Seven Summits. Although she has been unable to conquer Everest physically, she has most definitely conquered it in spirit. -
We're Havin' a Heat Wave... 7 Tips to Avoid Heat StrokeYoung children, the elderly, and people with serious health conditions are at particular risk of heat stroke.
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Save Your Breath and Save a Life with Hands Only CPRChest compression without mouth-to-mouth is as effective in saving lives as CPR performed with rescue breathing.
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Health Care Self-Advocacy: Be the Squeaky WheelIt's your body and no one has more incentive to take care of it than you do. Don't depend on anyone else to take the reins when it comes to your health. The responsibility lies with you. Don't be a passive patient; be a squeaky wheel.
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A Typical Life with Multiple SclerosisThe newly diagnosed usually ask what they should expect from a life with MS; but typical, when it comes to MS, is hard to define. -
Multiple Sclerosis in the MarriageMultiple sclerosis can complicate a marriage, often forcing both individuals to adjust to drastic changes in expectations or marital roles '" or it can bring you even closer together. Perhaps it will do both.
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How Multiple Sclerosis Impacts the FamilyYou may be the one with MS and the physical symptoms that go along with it, but you can't build a fence around yourself in order to protect those around you.
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Pseudo-Exacerbations in MS: Grounded in RealityThe word "pseudo" can be very misleading. Pseudo-exacerbations in MS are very real.
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Invisible Symptoms of Multiple SclerosisMany symptoms of multiple sclerosis are invisible to the casual observer. We aren't all in wheelchairs or use canes, nor do we all share the same obvious symptoms. We often appear to be the very picture of health.
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Keeping Your Cool with Multiple SclerosisFor some people with MS, summer's heat and humidity can make it even more difficult for already damaged nerve fibers to transmit electrical impulses, resulting in an exaggeration of symptoms, which may include fatigue, dizziness, and extreme weakness.
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Online Activism at Its Finest: Edward JanusNone of us gets through this life unscathed; it is what we do about it that defines us. Edward Janus chooses to work on making the world a better place. More power to him. -
Accessible Design Makes Good Business SensePeople with disabilities socialize. Being respectful of their needs breeds word-of-mouth advertising and fosters good will. Spend a little now on making your building easily accessible and reap the long-term rewards of repeat customers.
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Improve Mood and Self-Esteem with Green ExerciseGreen exercise -- that is physical activity in the presence of nature -- leads to positive short and long-term health outcomes.
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Loneliness Harms Health: Why You Need FriendsWhat we need, and what is increasingly lacking, is face time with people we feel comfortable with, people we trust, people with whom we can let our hair down and be ourselves.
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Do You Know What's Lurking on Your Purse?You might want to think twice about leaving your purse in the kitchen...
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Living with Multiple Sclerosis: 5 Steps Toward EmpowermentHow you choose to deal with MS in your life '" is crucial, not only emotionally, but physically.
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Multiple Sclerosis for NewbiesWhen you first learn that you have multiple sclerosis, you will likely experience a range of emotion from relief to fear. Then come the questions.
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Food Expiration Dates: What Do They Really Mean?Expiration dates on food products can protect consumer health, but those dates are really more about quality than safety, and if not properly understood, they can also encourage consumers to discard food that is perfectly safe to eat.
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The Art of Inclusive LanguageSome labels are placed on us by society; some labels we choose ourselves. They are important as a qualifier for disability benefits, or as outlined in the ADA, but the labels we give ourselves are as unique as we are, and change according to context.
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The Lure of Physical BeautyDo you ever get the feeling that somewhere out there is a mold of what a woman should look like -- and that what you see in the mirror bears no resemblance to that mold?
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Shocking Cosmetic Procedure... For FeetHow far would you go in pursuit of style? Would you surgically alter your foot in order to wear high-heeled, pointy-toed shoes?
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5 Reasons You Shouldn't Wear High Heels and 2 Reasons You Probably WillIf you wear high heels on a regular basis, you're probably familiar with the strange and uncomfortable feeling that comes with wearing flats or going barefoot. It can be downright painful.
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Paying for Complementary and Alternative MedicinesOnly some complementary and alternative medicines are covered by insurers... but that may be changing. -
When the Positive Attitude Mantra Causes More Harm Than GoodWhen is the concept of positive attitude a negative thing? When it is used as a form of denial, implies blame, or imparts guilt. -
Walking Your Way to a Healthier Mind, Body and SoulYou can walk the dog, walk with the kids, or just take a stroll by yourself. However you do it, walking is good for the mind, body, and soul, and here's why: