Five Reasons ALS Patients Should Get Outside

by Fern Cohen

Fern Cohen is a former teacher and a writer with ALS. She frequently writes guest posts for The ALS Association Greater New York Chapter's blog. Read Fern's blog, "Forced to Sit Still and Shut Up -- Life Before, and During ALS" at http://xr.com/fern. You can also follow Fern on Twitter at http://twitter.com/fec139.

Before the weather gets too cold, all PALS should grab opportunities to leave the house, even just for a half-hour, every day --or longer, if possible. Even if lack of transportation or mobility keeps you from venturing too far from home, just go outside!! Here are 10 reasons why.

1. Dr. Mehmet Oz, renowned physician, and now FOX-TV talk-show host -- and I might add my absolute guru-- says vitamin D is one of the most important immunity-boosters we don't get enough of. The recent skin-cancer scares have rightfully convinced us to take less sun, and to cover our skin with sun-block. That's a smart move; however, we are now not absorbing vitamin D, which is also beneficial to our bones. And, Dr. Oz says that drinking vitamin D-enriched milk or taking supplements is not as desirable as getting vitamin D from the sun. So just a half-hour in the autumn sun can refill our reserves of vitamin D, which is fat-soluble anyway, so it is stored for a while in our bodies.

2. Nothing gives peace and serenity like communing with nature. Before ALS, I never had enough time to stop and really look at the animals in my neighborhood. In my case, there are just squirrels, pigeons, sparrows, and the occasional crow. Some of you are more fortunate and have a big assortment of wild animals, and maybe even farm animals nearby. But even squirrels are fun to watch, and pigeon behavior can be fascinating. If you love dogs as I do, watching the dog-walking parade between 5 and 8pm can be a lot of fun. See how many people look like their dogs, dress up their dogs, and permit you to pet their dogs, an activity that is said to lower blood-pressure.

3. If you can, go to the local library, park, street festival, or coffee house, for people-watching or behavioral studies. Notice how many different coffee combinations there are, and how they are often not repeated twice, from venti mocha with almond syrup to tall Earl Grey with soy milk and sweetener, to Blue Mountain with two espresso shots and skim milk. It's fascinating. Studying people has become my favorite pastime, and it also takes the attention off myself and wondering who's looking at "freaky" me.

4. Getting out of the house is the best way to show everyone that you are living with ALS, not waiting to die from ALS. Any way you can show the world that we are more than just sick people lying around wasting away. I recently received an email from an out-of-state cousin who asked "Do you ever get out of bed?". I sent her pictures of me at the beach and at the ALS Walk to d'Feet, and she was very surprised because my extended out-of-town family describes me as "very sick", so she pictured me as spending all my time in bed. Although there may come a time when many of us become bed-bound, always do whatever you can, whenever you can

5. Isolation is a big cause of depression and hopelessness. It is so easy to stay alone and inside, especially if the internet is a big part of your life [as it is for me], you feel weak or tired, or going outside seems like a big production. It is so easy to say "maybe tomorrow", but tomorrow the weather may be less conducive to going outside, you may feel sicker and weaker tomorrow. Do it while the weather is tolerable, and while you can. In fall, there is nothing more beautiful than the colors. In spring, the first flowers and baby animals always give me a mood lift. In winter, go out for at least a few minutes if possible, to look at freshly-fallen snow. And in summer, limit your outdoor time to early morning or late afternoon, but enjoy the longer hours of light, because they are never around long enough.