Who knew that the secret to happiness and good health is right at our feet?

While trying to come to grips with the changes my body, mind and life were going through after turning 50, I came across a life-changing article in the Wall Street Journal about Jeff Galloway, the Olympian and marathoner who developed the Run-Walk-Run program used by hundreds of thousands of people around the world.

The article was published the day after the NYC Marathon, so its focus was on how anyone can train and run in a Marathon using Jeff’s program. At that time, I was more interested in losing the 15 post-menopausal pounds I had packed on, and looking for ways to incorporate exercise and fitness into my life without spending a lot of money or time in the process.

Some of the benefits of meditative running that I experienced over the last few years include:

• Greater focus
• Less stress
• Better moods
• A sense of mindfulness
• Deeper connection to myself
• Deeper connection to nature
• Patience
• Learning to breathe
• Problem-solving
• Enhanced creativity
• Clear thinking
• Greater happiness

Read more via Barbara Hannah Grufferman: Life After 50: The Power of Meditative Running.

LONDON – Just five minutes of exercise a day in the great outdoors can improve mental health, according to a study released on Saturday, and policymakers should encourage more people to spend time in parks and gardens.

Researchers from the University of Essex found that as little as five minutes of a “green activity” such as walking, gardening, cycling or farming can boost mood and self esteem.

“We believe that there would be a large potential benefit to individuals, society and to the costs of the health service if all groups of people were to self-medicate more with green exercise,” Barton said in a statement about the study, which was published in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.

Read the full article via msnbc.com

Are you thinking Tai Chi in the park?