Summer is officially in full swing, and for many of us, the warmer weather naturally helps us spend more time being active. Swimming pools are open, hiking trails are being pounded, and golf courses and bike paths are ready for the increased traffic.
With the spirit of our Small STEPS, Big Impact campaign in mind, I want to encourage you to find at least one summer activity you enjoy this season, and try to make it part of your routine. In addition to helping us get more exercise, summer allows us more time to be outside, and studies consistently show that spending time outdoors can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function—and stress management is another key component of our STEPS campaign.
I’m looking forward to hearing more about the importance of outdoor exercise, as well as nutrition, with our next Small STEPS, Big Impact CME event, being held virtually next Wednesday, June 25 at noon. “Walk the Walk: Small STEPS in Exercise & Nutrition for Big Results” will welcome Bridget Hittepole, M.D., the lead physician for the Louisville chapter of Walk With a Doc, and Marisa Faibish, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN, lead dietician for the Norton Sports Health Performance & Wellness Center. I’m excited to have a conversation about how we as physicians can make changes to our own lifestyles, as well as how we can help our patients incorporate these improvements. If you haven’t registered yet, you can do so here.
As Kentucky continues to struggle with high rates of chronic illness, obesity, and tobacco use, we face serious public health challenges. But the Small Steps, Big Impact campaign has shown that real progress is possible when we focus on education, prevention, and empowerment. I’m always so encouraged when I hear from physicians who are seeing increased engagement from their patients, from families making healthier food choices, and from community members who are walking more and sitting less.
This work is far from over, but it is work worth doing, and I hope that these warm summer months will be motivating for you, too. I want to thank every KMA member who has supported this campaign, whether by sharing resources with patients or on your social media, or through simply reinforcing the importance of preventive care during clinical visits. Your leadership and dedication are what make campaigns like this not just possible, but meaningful.
Together, through small steps, we can make a big impact, and continue moving Kentucky toward a healthier future.
