For most, it’s a place to shop. For others, it’s a place to exercise. For Carol Jung, it’s a place where she can pray.
While some St. Louisans drive to a church or park for spiritual reflection, the 64-year-old retired teacher drives to Crestwood Court four times a week for a series of four-mile walks inside the shopping center. “I find the mall to be a great place of solitude.” says Jung, who’s married with two grown children and four grandchildren.
The physical and mental boost from mall walking—a popular exercise routine in recent years, particularly among senior citizens —are just two of the myriad of benefits that come from this type of exercise. “Mall walking offers the ability to burn calories, increase circulation, define muscle tone, increase joint flexibility, and reduce stress,” explains Theresa Miller, bariatric coordinator for the SSM Weight-Loss Institute at DePaul Health Center.
Mall walkers enjoy the climate-controlled, safe environment without concerns about vehicle traffic and with easy access to water fountains and restrooms, Miller says. Many area malls, such as the Saint Louis Galleria and St. Louis Mills, cater to mall walkers by opening their doors hours before the stores open.
For Jung, her journey to mall walking started four years ago to combat arthritis in her left knee. “I started to receive injections and my doctor encouraged me to walk, but I had to avoid walking outdoors, particularly in hilly terrain,” she explains. In response, Jung joined a now-defunct walking club at Crestwood Court, and then she became a solo walker. Jung began walking one mile at a time, then two miles turned into three, and now she walks four miles per trip in just one hour.
Miller recommends mall walkers build endurance gradually, similar to how Jung did so, before developing the stamina for longer distances. Senior citizens should receive clearance from their primary physicians before regularly walking the mall, she explains.
“We encourage newcomers and regulars to exercise within their limits,” Miller says. “Do what you can tolerate, and hopefully you can increase your stamina as you do it on a more regular basis… In the end, it’s all about developing a routine, setting goals, and increasing your duration.”
Miller also encourages mall walkers to develop friendships with fellow walkers, creating social bonds and making the time go faster. Although Jung frequently walks alone, she will greet fellow walkers, even joining them occasionally. “When you see fellow walkers and say hello and look into their eyes, it gives me a warm feeling because they’re doing the same thing,” she explains. “It’s a connection with fellow human beings.”
The proven success of mall walking is evident to regulars like Jung, who’s experienced reduced pain in her left knee, an outlet for spiritual reflection, and a boost of self-confidence.
“I always feel much better after a walk,” she says. “It’s a feeling of accomplishment and that I’ve done something worthwhile.”
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