Our Pandemic Walks – Dr. Ed Iannuccilli

Our Pandemic Walks – Dr. Ed Iannuccilli

One of the things we enjoy during this pandemic is to get out and about. No, I don’t mean the neighborhood walk which, of itself, is satisfying, social, pleasant and sets a goal of “Let’s be sure to walk at least two miles today.” Rather, I mean the added value of a walk in the woods in our beautiful state of Rhode Island.

We have not been disappointed by the suggestions of both The Audubon Society and the book by Ken Weber, “Walks and Rambles in Rhode Island.” One of our favorites is a leisurely stroll through the woodlands at The Simmons Mill Pond in Little Compton.

The paths are flanked by murmuring trees and meandering stone walls.  The walls extend for miles, reminding us that someone was here long before us and left an undying message. As Frost writes in his poem Mending Wall -

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Something there is that doesn't love a wall,

That sends the frozen-ground-swell under it,

And spills the upper boulders in the sun...

 

Along the gravel paths, the trees have been meticulously labeled, scrawled by a volunteer’s bold pen on wood that has been cut, planed, and sanded smooth.

The air smelled vibrant. As we approached Simmons Pond to the calls of the flitting few wintering birds, we met a gentleman fishing for trout. “They stock the pond, and I caught one.” On a tether in the water was a shiny, vibrant trout, swimming in place. “If I catch another, I’ll take ‘em home for supper; one for me, one for my wife. And I cook ‘em maself.  If I don’t catch a second, I’ll throw that guy back.”

He loved being there, alongside the humming calm of the pond, the lee of the wind, the sounds of his trout rippling nearby.

I read that exposure to the woods may strengthen our immune systems. I assumed that the tranquility might help lower blood pressure, but some scientists believe there is more.

The greenery produces chemicals called phytoncides; volatile natural oils that plants use to defend themselves against unwanted insects, bacteria, or fungi.

Phytoncides purportedly improve the immune system by increasing natural killer cell activity. That increase in cellular activity may last for more than thirty days after a trip to a forest, suggesting that a trip once a month might enable individuals to maintain a higher level of immune response. We try to do more.

Other benefits from phytoncides include a reduction in blood pressure, heart rate and stress hormones; reduced anxiety, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion; and increased vigor. Wow! I love it.

So, if you live near an evergreen forest – one that contains pine, cedar, spruce, or fir trees, you live near some of the best phytoncide producers around. Embrace them.

Stroll. Don’t hurry. Take a few deep breaths, observe, listen, and feel the stress dissipate.

Almost anyone can reap the rewards of a short sojourn to the woods while gazing at trees, flowers and, if you’re lucky, wildlife.

Phytoncides or not, the walk can leave you feeling restored and rejuvenated.

Dr. Ed Iannuccilli is the author of three popular memoirs, “Growing up Italian; Grandfather’s Fig Tree and Other Stories”, “What Ever Happened to Sunday Dinner” and “My Story Continues: From Neighborhood to Junior High.”  Learn more here. 

Editor's note: The Simmons Mill Pond is in Little Compton. An early version said Tiverton, we apologize for the error.