As a treehouse enthusiast, I have always been fascinated by this unique form of architecture that combines nature with the comfort of a home. Building a treehouse is not only a fun project, but it also allows us to reconnect with nature and create a unique space where we can relax and unwind.
Before we dive into the different treehouse ideas, let's take a moment to explore the benefits of building a treehouse. First and foremost, a treehouse is a great way to connect with nature. It provides a unique perspective of the surroundings and allows us to observe wildlife and the changing seasons.
Secondly, a treehouse is a great escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It's a quiet and peaceful space where we can relax and unwind, read a book, or simply enjoy the view. It's also a great spot for meditation and yoga.
Finally, a treehouse is a fun and creative project for the entire family. It's a great way to spend time with people and bond over a shared passion for nature and architecture.
Before you start building your treehouse, there are a few factors that you need to consider. Safety should be your top priority. It would help if you made sure that the tree you choose is strong enough to support the weight of the treehouse and that the structure is built to code.
Secondly, you need to consider the design and layout of your treehouse. You should choose a roof design that complements the natural surroundings and fits your needs and preferences. You should consider the size of the treehouse and the number of people who will be using it.
Finally, you need to think about the materials and tools that you will need for the project. You should choose high-quality materials that are durable and weather-resistant. You should invest in the right tools to ensure that the treehouse and the roof is built properly.
If you are new to treehouse building, start with a simple design that is easy to build. A basic treehouse can be built using a single tree and a few simple materials. You can use a platform design that is supported by the tree trunk and branches.
Another simple treehouse design is the "A-frame" style, which is easy to build and provides plenty of space for a comfortable retreat. This design features a sloping roof that provides protection from the elements and cozy interior space.
If you have limited space, you can also build a small treehouse that serves as a reading nook or a quiet space for meditation. This can be built using a single tree and a platform design that is supported by the trunk and branches.
If you like the rustic look, you can choose a roofing design that blends in with the natural surroundings. A rustic treehouse can be built using natural wood, stone, and bark, and you can also add natural elements such as plants and vines to create a natural camouflage.
One popular rustic treehouse design is the "hobbit hole" style, which features a round door and windows and a curved roof that blends in with the natural surroundings. This tree house design is perfect for those who want a cozy and earthy retreat.
Another rustic treehouse design is the "log cabin" style, which features a log structure and a sloping roof. This tree house design is perfect for those who prefer a rustic and traditional look. This can feature a flat or slightly sloped roof.
Treehouses are not just for adults but also a great way to provide a fun and creative space for kids. A backyard treehouse can offer a safe and exciting environment for children to play and explore.
One popular backyard treehouse design for kids is the "fort" style, which features a platform design with walls and a roof. This design provides a safe, enclosed space for kids to play and imagine.
Another backyard treehouse design for kids is the "pirate ship" style, which features a ship-like structure with a mast and a sail. This tree house design is perfect for those who want to provide their kids with a fun and imaginative space.
If you want to create a unique treehouse, choose a design that stands out and showcases your creativity. One unique treehouse design is the "tree pod" style, which features a spherical structure that is suspended from the tree branches.
Another unique treehouse design is the "treehouse hotel" style, which features multiple treehouses that are interconnected by bridges and walkways. This tree house design is perfect for those who want to create a unique and adventurous retreat.
Finally, you can also choose a treehouse design incorporating elements of your style and interests. For example, you can add a rooftop garden or a treehouse bar to create a space that reflects your personality and preferences.
If you need more time or skills to build your treehouse, many treehouse-building services can help you bring your vision to life. These services offer a range of designs and materials to choose from and can customize the treehouse to fit your needs and preferences.
Treehouse building services can also provide valuable advice and guidance on the best location, materials, and design for your treehouse. They can also ensure that the treehouse is built safely and to code.
Building a treehouse is a fun and creative project that allows us to reconnect with nature and create a unique and relaxing space. Whether you choose a simple or more elaborate design, a treehouse is a great way to add value to your property and create a space that you, your family, and friends can enjoy for years to come.
Consider safety, design, and materials when building your treehouse. Also, feel free to get creative and incorporate elements of your style and interests.
If you are not comfortable building your treehouse, consider using a treehouse building service to bring your vision to life. With their expertise, you can create a safe, functional, and beautiful treehouse.
So, what are you waiting for? Start planning your next treehouse project today and bring your dream retreat to life!
]]>Are you wondering if walking sticks are good for seniors?
And can they live an active lifestyle while aging gracefully?
Well, in this informative write-up, I'll answer these questions by focusing on the topics below:
Becoming a senior is a natural order of life. Sadly, no one can escape this reality. Also, it's a stage of honor, especially for those who have impacted their societies positively. Yet, it's a stage of life dreaded by many. And this is because of the many challenges it comes with.
One such challenge is mobility and movement. And regardless of social standing, this one health condition affects all. The problem is even worse for inactive seniors. Unfortunately, this is the lifestyle for most elderly persons, which comes with several health concerns.
For instance, inactivity among the aged may lead to diabetes, cancer, hypertension, and heart diseases. Also, others may suffer from weaker bones, stroke, and arthritis. Therefore, elderly persons must avoid a sedentary lifestyle to curtail these health issues.
Thankfully, all hope isn't lost because a walking stick can be handy in these golden years, and it can support and bring you back to an active lifestyle as a senior citizen. However, while aging with grace, you might wonder if a walking stick is good for you at this point.
The resounding answer is yes. Studies have shown the remarkable benefits of walking sticks among the elderly. With this in mind, let's look at some benefits that seniors can enjoy while using walking sticks. But remember, this isn't an exhaustive list. So, without wasting time, let's itemize these benefits.
Because of your unhealthy and sedentary lifestyle, you are more likely to suffer from diabetes. So, controlling your blood sugar level is crucial to healthy living. And walking with a stick is one way of managing your blood level. In addition, walking helps with your blood circulation and balances your blood sugar levels. As a result, your body's insulin functions are at their healthy range. Interestingly, besides diabetes, you're also protected against heart attacks.
Most seniors are likely to fall when walking without aids. However, you're better off with a walking stick. It would keep your balance and stability while improving your posture. A walking stick does this by tightening the muscles in your upper back. So, you'll feel more comfortable and safe whenever you step out. Also, with a walking stick, you aren't alone.
Strong evidence shows a link between calories and obesity. And the latter is common among older adults. Sadly, obesity puts people at risk for stroke, arthritis, cancer, and type 2 diabetes. In addition, it can lead to heart diseases and high blood pressure. Luckily, seniors can reduce these risks by using a walking stick. Using a walking stick for an hour will burn about 210 to 360 calories. This will help reduce weight, improve stamina, and fight against related diseases.
Unfortunately, most seniors would feel pains along their joints. Mainly, this is caused by several factors—injury, infections, diseases, arthritis, etc. However, you can reduce the strains on your joints—hips, knees, spine, etc. A walking stick does this by offloading the weight into your upper body. As a result, you can walk faster, pain-free, and far.
There's a higher chance most seniors may find it hard strolling on uneven surfaces. Thankfully, you can reduce this incidence by using a walking stick. For instance, it would maintain your balance and stability on these rough terrains. In effect, it would reduce your chances of falling.
Dangers are unpredictable. Therefore, it would be hard for most elderly persons to defend against them. For example, let's take an attacking beast. How can the aged guard against it? By using a walking stick, you have a weapon against this enemy. So, a walking stick offers you a sense of personal protection against a looming enemy.
7. Walking Sticks Help Seniors to Enjoy Social Integration
Aging is a period of isolation and loneliness. And it's a hard pill for most seniors to accept. Sadly, it's one of the chief causes of death among the elderly. However, joining a walking stick workout with loved ones can mitigate this canker. Again, this regular walking exercise would improve your self-esteem and overall well-being.
Walking is a stress and tension reliever. Therefore, it promotes the release of endorphins, which improves your mood. In addition, nature greets you with fresh oxygen whenever you step outside, and this increases your energy levels while reducing anxiety, fatigue, and depression.
As a senior citizen, these are just a few benefits you can get by using a walking stick. However, it would be suicidal to choose a walking stick that isn't suitable for you. So, to avoid any problem, use the following factors to pick a proper walking stick for your condition.
Factors to Consider When Choosing A Walking Stick As A Senior
Each person's condition is unique. Also, there are various mobility aids suitable for each situation. So, it's best to talk to a medical expert to ensure a walking stick can suit your specific condition. As a result, this decision will save you money and time.
The height of a walking stick is crucial to keep the body's weight in check. Therefore, it shouldn't be too long or short but suitable for the user's height. This would ensure maximum balance, stability, and pain-free. Measuring from the wrist to the floor gives you the required size. However, remember to stand upright in your regular shoes with arms by your side.
As a senior, the primary aim of using a walking stick should be for balance and stability. So, you shouldn't pick a walking stick that deviates from these qualities. Remember, any suitable walking stick would offer immense support to your body. For instance, it would improve your posture and strengthen your upper back muscles.
Here, you need to factor in the stick's weight. That's because it will become your walking companion for many years. Remember, the lighter the walking stick, the better for your usage. For instance, a more lightweight stick will ensure free movement while preventing fatigue.
You can't enjoy your walking stick with no handle. So, consider the most comfortable grip that fits your situation. Thankfully, most handles are made from wood, rubber, foam, and plastic. While a wooden handle is durable, a foam type offers more comfort. So, choose a handle based on your specific needs. In addition, ensure the grip you pick fits your palm.
For added safety, always choose a walking stick with a strap. A strap keeps the walking stick fastened to your wrist. Also, it helps you grab your stick whenever you need it. Finally, it prevents the stick from slipping away. So, with a strap, your aid is always closer to you.
It would be best if you also consider the tip of your stick. It can have a single or a quadruple end. Interestingly, each one has a specific usage. For instance, a single tip is ideal for seniors who want to ease some pressure from their bodies. In contrast, a quadruple tip is best for seniors with acute pains. So, a perfect end should grip the floor and absorb your weight without wearing off.
Walking sticks come at varying prices. Often, this depends on the quality. Therefore, pick a walking stick that suits your budget. Again, this decision should align with your specific needs.
My Final Remarks On Walking Sticks for Seniors
Remember, walking sticks aren't pieces of decorated wood. They are therapeutic aids for varying people, including seniors. Therefore, they are essential walking companions for you. As a senior citizen, don't think your active years are over. In moderation, you can rekindle them.
Thankfully, you can turn your inactive lifestyle into a healthy one with a walking stick. Studies have shown the incredible benefits of using a walking stick for seniors. First, a walking stick would improve your posture by providing balance and stability.
Second, it would reduce your risk of diabetes by balancing your blood sugar levels. In addition, using a stick would help you reduce weight by burning calories. This alone would protect you from several ailments associated with obesity. Also, you'll live a healthy and joyous lifestyle.
But to enjoy these benefits, pick your walking stick with caution. Thankfully, you have some pointers to guide your decision. A few of these include advice from your physician, suitable stick height, comfortable handle, and cost-effectiveness.
Finally, keep in mind that a walking stick can help you live an active and blissful lifestyle.
]]>Let's begin by quizzing the mind!
Can you name one free activity of life that people take for granted?
Though there are many, I'll focus on walking. For some strange reasons, people seem not to appreciate the value of walking.
Though it's free, its potential health benefits are priceless. Yes, you can't quantify its benefits in monetary terms.
It's the simplest, quickest, and most exciting way to keep a healthy body and lifestyle. Regardless of age, social status, and fitness level, walking is just for everyone. You can never go wrong with walking. When done regularly, it holds the magic wand against chronic diseases.
These ailments include heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Besides these benefits, walking promotes good sleep, critical thinking, and overall well-being. It's important to note that several doctors and universities have confirmed these benefits.
Therefore, they are facts and not fads. Also, other respected persons have added their voices. I'll share only three quotes from these intelligent people to save time.
First, Carrie Latet had this to say:
"Walking: the most ancient exercise and still the best modern exercise."
Then, Frank Ring added:
"Walking for health and fitness, the easiest way to get in shape and stay in shape."
Finally, Claudette Dudley summarized:
"I love walking because it clears your mind, enriches the soul, takes away stress, and opens up your eyes to a whole new world."
You've heard from the trio, so now we can take a step further. But before sharing the ten benefits of walking, here are a few safety measures:
Now that you know the safety tips let's explore the ten potential benefits of walking. And not in any order, let's walk:
One of the leading causes of death is heart disease. About 18.2 million citizens aged 20 and above suffer from heart complications in America. Again, the American Heart Association study revealed that 19% of men and 26% of women are likely to die from heart attacks within a year. These are staggering and disturbing figures? Aren't they?
Yet, regular walking is a simple remedy to curb this health issue. Cultivating the habit of walking 30 minutes per day can be extremely helpful. Regular walking will increase heart rate, strengthen the heart, lower blood pressure, and eventually reduce the risk of heart attacks.
According to Joaquin U. Gonzales, Ph.D., associate professor in kinesiology at Texas Tech University, "People that are concerned about their risk for heart disease should be aware that increasing their daily walk by 1,000 steps can produce a 5 to 20% reduction in risk for cardiovascular illness and death."
No one wants to die—In fact, everyone wants to live longer and enjoy life to the fullest. However, this isn't the outcome for most people. To achieve this goal in life, then you should embrace walking.
A study among women in the United States shows that taking 4,400 steps per day decreases the risk of death. Another research also confirms that walking for 10 to 59 minutes weekly reduces the risk of death by 18%.
Again, other data reveal that the faster you stroll, the lower the death risk. This is possible because walking affects the heart, brain, lungs, bones, and muscles. So, walking prevents you from health-related issues, adding extra years to your life.
Every individual desires a positive mood. Yet, most people find it hard to achieve it. Several factors can affect your mood negatively. Poor diet, lack of sleep, menstrual cycle, stress, and financial security are some examples.
Seriously, these factors can lead to mental health consequences: anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, negative mood, and antisocial behavior. Luckily, walking is one action you can use to fight these menaces.
In Norway, a study of 30,000 people revealed that an hour of exercise weekly could help prevent depression. Another research from the California State University, Long Beach, unveiled that the more steps people took during the day, the better their moods.
Through walking, the body releases endorphins, natural painkillers which boost your moods.
No one can underrate the benefits of sleep. You'll fall sick less, maintain your weight, reduce stress, and lower your risk for serious health issues, among others. Thankfully, regular walking comes with these benefits. In addition, it will improve your energy level, providing longer and sound sleep.
According to recent research, people who walk either in the morning or evening have better quality sleep. More so, another study showed that adults who walked daily had significant quality and long sleep.
Also, a further study among postmenopausal women found those who walked often snooze better at night than those who were less active. Interestingly, napping is a sign of sound sleep.
People, mostly women, are concerned about their body weights. Therefore, most of them spend immense sums of money on drugs and products promising to give them slender-looking bodies. But unfortunately, most of these products never deliver results, leaving them more worried.
Though most might not know, regular walking is the antidote to this challenge. For instance, a 30-minute walk burns about 200 calories. This is ideal for maintaining or losing weight. Now, your calorie reduction will depend on the following factors:
Using a calorie calculator, you can estimate your actual calorie burn. You can find this calculator by searching on Google.
Finally, to Ariel Lasevoli, a personal trainer in New York City, "Daily walking increases metabolism by burning extra calories and by preventing muscle loss, which is particularly important as we get older."
Your body has a natural way of fighting bacteria, viruses, and diseases. It performs this function through the immune system. Therefore, a weak immune system leads to poor defensive against the enemies of the body. In contrast, the opposite is also true.
Now, to boost your immune system, walking is one of the surest strategies. A study showed that regular walking improves the immune system. Thus, it increases the number of immune cells that fight against pathogens in the body.
So, active walkers have lower risks of infections. Again, this group of people spends less time in the hospitals if they are admitted. Through active walking, you have a protective guard against pathogens. So, you're shielded against pneumonia, cold, flu, and cough, among others.
The brain works best when you are active. That's walking spark creativity—this was a 2014 study in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, Learning, Memory, and Cognition. Further, other studies have confirmed that regular walking increases brain size in older adults.
Also, it improves cognitive performance and helps treat depression. A Stanford University study revealed walking improves creativity by 60%. When walking, the body produces adrenaline, a chemical responsible for mental awareness.
In line with walking, the body can circulate oxygen to the brain. As a result, you'll be able to think clearly and creatively. In trying to find new ideas, researchers compared when people were sitting and walking. Surprisingly, people did extremely well while walking outdoors.
Hence, they concluded that walking is a simple way to boost creativity and generate ideas.
Diabetes is a worldwide health issue. Sadly, about 1 in 10 Americans have diabetes. This translates into 34 million citizens. In the same light, about 88 million citizens have prediabetes. This translates into 1 in 3 Americans.
Therefore, the American Diabetes Association urges citizens to walk to reduce blood sugar levels. It's on record that every 1000 steps daily reduce blood pressure by 0.45 points. Hence, the more walking steps, the lower your blood pressure.
You can improve your BMI level by sticking to a regular walking plan. This will allow your body to use insulin better. And this will help boost your blood sugar score.
What's the effect of walking on joint pains? Well, most people might think the pain will be the effect. However, the opposite is rather true. Walking doesn't worsen pain; instead, it offers relief. This is because most of your joint cartilages have no direct blood flow.
They get their blood and nutrients from physical activity. And luckily, walking is one such activity. Through walking, your joint muscles get lubricated and strengthened to support you. Therefore, you can move freely with much relief.
A study on walking unveiled that a 10-minute daily walk can decrease arthritis and disability pain among older adults. In 2019, the American Journal of Preventive Medicine studied 1,564 adults above 49 years old.
These people were suffering from lower-joint pains. The research found that those who walked each week for an hour were likely to be free from disability after four years. Then, another study concluded that walking is ideal and cheap for arthritis.
Sex is a major headache for most people, especially men. Also, it's the chief contributing factor for cheating and divorces in several marriages. There are several ways to improve sexual health. However, the most natural, safe, simple, and free sexual booster is walking.
Yes, brisk walking will improve your stamina during the act of love-making. Walking boosts blood circulation to the brain and the reproductive organ. As a result, the erection becomes stronger and longer, improving love-making.
Irwin Goldstein, a renowned urologist, and his research team discovered that an inactive lifestyle increases a man's risk for developing impotence.
For example, a report published in Urology showed that men who actively walked for two miles daily reduced the risk of erectile dysfunction. It's important to note that two miles daily burn 200 calories per day.
My Final Remarks On the Benefits of Walking Regularly
Walking is one of nature's ways of keeping the body fit and healthy. However, it's surprising how most people discount its many benefits. The lack of conscious walking results from the astronomical ailments in the world.
Walking is a free and simple act that builds a healthy and prosperous nation. Also, it's an activity that respects everyone. It doesn't know the difference between the rich and poor, young and old, black and white, or even people's intellectual ability. Therefore, it's ideal for everyone.
A person who enjoys walking would be immune to several chronic diseases. This is because countless studies point to the health benefits of walking. Yes, these reports showed that regular walking lowers depression, anxiety, and stroke, among others.
Contrary to popular thinking, walking doesn't worsen pains; instead, it relieves them. Here, regular walking distributes blood and nutrients to your joints. This eases pain and balances your movement. Again, through walking, you'll burn many calories, leading to weight loss.
Quality sleep, creative thinking, positive mood, and living longer are other benefits of walking. Importantly, you'll enjoy these benefits without paying a cent. Your only investment is to slide into your athletic gear and hit the road, bearing in mind the safety precautions.
It would help to observe the safety tips before, during, and after walking. The right clothing, terrain, water, etc., should be part of your considerations. Start slowly, and then warm up gradually to prepare your body. Ideally, 30 minutes daily is an excellent target for a start.
Finally, I want you to live by one saying of Annie Taylor. She said: "Walking is cheap, fun, safe, and acceptable exercise." So please, kindly burn this wisdom into your brain.
]]>As an American, can you think of one thing that we are most grateful for?
Or better still, one thing that makes us sincerely proud as Americans?
In my quest to find what Americans are most proud of, I chanced on reliable data from Gallup. It revealed areas Americans are proud of. So, in a particular order, these are the six insights:
Let's get into The meaning of Memorial Day.
According to this Gallup research, eighty-nine (89%) percent of Americans hold the military in high esteem. Interestingly, this confirms Americans' respect for the men and women protecting the country. Also, it extends to the memories of those who died serving the nation.
So, to honor these heroic soldiers (men and women), this write-up will cover the following:
With little ado, let's set the ball rolling!
When Is Memorial Day?
As a holiday in the United States, Memorial Day is marked to honor the heroic soldiers who died while serving the country. It's marked on the last Monday of May. Initially, it was known as Declaration Day, originating during the American Civil War.
This year, Memorial Day will fall on Monday, May 30. I hope you'll ink it on your calendar. Now, I'm glad to share the next five years with you, covering 2023 to 2027 below:
Ten Memorial Day Quotes to Get You Fired Up
As custom demands, speeches are part of the event. And over the years, well-wishers have delivered inspiring and sobering quotes to mark the occasion. So, to put you in a reflective mood, enjoy these quotes from some selected leaders.
What Is The Meaning Behind Memorial Day?
Memorial Day is a solemn holiday that commemorates the officers who lost their lives while performing their military duties. Initially, it was meant for those who died in the Civil War. However, today, it recognizes every officer who died while serving the country's interests.
Therefore, the goal of Memorial Day is to remember the veterans who gave us freedom by sacrificing their lives for the country. Again, Memorial Day allows Americans to reflect, support, and grief with the families who have lost their loved ones during the war.
To understand the holiday's true meaning, we have to revisit history. In an address, James Garfield, a Congressman, stated:
"I am oppressed with a sense of the impropriety of uttering words on this occasion. If silence is ever golden, it must be here beside the graves of fifteen thousand men, whose lives were more significant than speech and whose death was a poem, the music of which can never be sung."
During a Decoration Day, Mr. James Garfield made this emotional speech at Arlington in 1868. It was the start of Memorial Day after a few years of the Civil War. Also, it marks the beginning of decorating the graves of fallen soldiers with flowers.
After this event, Arlington National Cemetery became the official ground for observing the day.
Is Memorial Day Just For Those Who Died In War?
Memorial Day is one of the patriotic holidays Americans observe each year. It remembers and honors the servicemen and women who died serving the nation's interest. Luckily, the day is marked on the last Monday in May, and it excludes those officers who are alive.
The event traced its root to a post-Civil War period on May 5, 1866. In Waterloo, New York, citizens were encouraged to honor their dead by placing flags and flowers on their graves. Then, two years later, an organization of union veterans instituted the holiday.
General John Logan declared the event should be honored on May 30. He settled on this day because it was a neutral day for both participants of the Civil War to honor their heroes.
However, on May 20, 1868, about 5,000 participants at the National Decoration Day decorated nearly 20,000 graves of the fallen soldiers. It took place at the Arlington National Cemetery.
With time, the event changed from Decoration Day to Memorial Day. Then in the year 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, establishing it as a federal holiday.
Also, the Act placed the holiday on the last Monday in May. Finally, it took full effect in 1971.
What Is the Significance of Memorial Day?
The Civil War claimed about 620,000 lives within four years. These were brave officers who sacrificed their lives for our country's freedom. But can we pay these debts? As a country, the best we can do is to immortalize them.
I think Memorial Day does that.
First, the holiday allows us to honor the memories of these selfless officers who died in the country's service. Second, it offers us the chance to share their stories and sacrifices with our youth. Also, their tales of bravery will instill the spirit of patriotism in our younger generation.
So, they will grow up protecting and improving the legacy left behind. It's a fact—a country without its history is a lost nation. Last, Memorial Day serves as a special day for sharing the bereaved families' pain, grief, and sorrow.
This act of empathy reminds the families that their loved ones aren't forgotten. Also, it's a clear testament that their contribution towards America's freedom is highly appreciated.
Do You Say Happy Memorial Day?
Is it appropriate to say—Happy Memorial Day? Well, this expression has divided opinions among Americans. Why should a day of loss, grief, horror, and mourning be labeled a "happy day?" This is the concern of the first school of thought.
They feel those who use the expression are insensitive to the plight of those who lost their loved ones. But, again, they believe such people have lost the true meaning of the holiday. For instance, we can recount the pain of Jennie Haskamp, a veteran corps.
In in the year 2015, she wrote an op-ed for the Washington Post, stating: "I'm frustrated by people all over the country who view the day as anything but a day to remember our WAR DEAD."
She continued, "I hate hearing 'Happy Memorial Day,' I want to see people besides the small percentage of us who are veterans, known veterans, love veterans, or lost veterans, understand what the day is about. It's the one day on the American calendar meant to exemplify what it costs to be American and to be free."
While this sentiment holds dear to some Americans, others think Happy Memorial Day is appropriate. They feel the expression is a passionate way of showing gratitude. Also, they affirm that gratitude could be for the freedom that America is enjoying.
To support this argument, we can recall Ken Harbaugh, a relative of combat veterans. In 2015, he wrote in an op-ed in the Observer. He stated he had no issue with the phrase—Happy Memorial Day. His reason is simple—he doesn't think the day should be about unrelenting grief.
However, he quickly agreed that the event had lost its significance for several people. Well, these sides of the same coin resonate with all Americans. Now, the ultimate choice is for you to make.
The Key Difference Between Veterans Day And Memorial Day
Veterans Day and Memorial Day are two US holidays that honor American military officers. However, it's amazing how some Americans can't notice their subtle difference. So, with this difficulty, they end up using them interchangeably.
Reserved for the last Monday of May, Memorial Day honors the officers who died serving the country. In contrast, Veterans Day is marked on November 11, honoring all military officers—either wartime or peacetime.
So, Veterans Day pays homage to both the living and dead military officers who served.
How to Sincerely Honor Memorial Day
Americans always look up to Memorial Day. It's a unique day set aside for us to remember the officers who sacrificed their lives safeguarding our country. Yet, some Americans forget to honor this event appropriately. Instead, they rather get busy with beaches, pools, and barbecues.
These activities defeat the real purpose and observance of the day. To pay our heartfelt tribute to the officers who sacrificed and shed their blood for the nation, we must do the following:
As a Federal holiday, Memorial Day is marked with political presence. Here, the sitting president or his vice gives a speech in memory of the lost souls. Then, again, the president or his vice lay a wreath on a grave at the Arlington National Cemetery.
Some Interesting Facts About Memorial Day
My Final Thoughts On Memorial Day
Memorial Day is an American holiday that pays homage to soldiers who died while serving the country. Originally, it was reserved to honor the officers who died during the Civil War. But today, it pays tribute to all soldiers who died in any war.
In the year 1968, Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act, giving it legal backing. However, it became fully operational in 1971. Finally, the last Monday in May became its official status. Before this day, Americans marked the solemn event as Decorative Day.
The celebration traces its origin to the post-Civil war. Yet, there are records of the practice predating this war. For instance, the US Department of Veterans Affairs recognizes about twenty-five of such events. Here, people decorate graves with flags, wreaths, and flowers.
On May 5, 1966, an organization of Union Veterans formed Decoration Day. It aimed to decorate the tombs of fallen soldiers with flowers. To reserve a day, General John Logan declared the event to be observed on May 30.
Americans held the maiden edition at Arlington National Cemetery. Interestingly, this event lasted from May 30, 1868, until 1970. Finally, in 1971, it became Memorial Day. And Congress changed its observance to the last Monday in May.
]]>And between the two, which one is better at nursing joint pain and giving greater comfort?
But before we look into the above questions, let’s take a walk into the past to find out the one that preceded the other. The phrase—walking cane wasn’t known until the 16th century. However, the term—walking stick had established its name since the first man walked the earth.
During this ancient era, man used a walking stick as a traveling aid over uneven grounds. Also, he used it as a sign of authority, a defense weapon, and a symbol of social status. Then, from jointed stems he created more fashionable items from cane, bamboo, and rattan.
Here, the term–walking cane was invented out of the material (cane) used. And from that time onwards, people used the names interchangeably. More often than not, they called walking sticks walking canes. Interestingly, this practice has found its way into the 21st century era.
Today, walking sticks and canes play essential roles in our daily lives. Their basic function provides balance, comfort, defense, and support to our bodies. This is the primary reason medical experts recommend them to people at risk of falling and those having severe joint pains.
These people include the aged, disabled, and injured persons, to name a few. Though there are several mobility aids on the market, walking sticks and canes are the most common ones. And looking at their relative likeness, you may wonder if they have any difference.
To help you unveil this mystery, this informative article will focus on the following topics:
Without much ado, let’s get started!
Most people hardly know the difference between a walking stick and a cane. So, they often used them interchangeably. But, despite this confusion, they are two unique items with specific uses. To fully understand their slight differences, kindly read on.
A walking stick is a device that can provide some support and balance. However, technically speaking, it’s an accessory and not a mobility aid. A walking stick is made for temporary use. For instance, during mountain hiking and other outdoor adventures. Again, it isn't designed to transfer your body weight from the affected parts to your upper body.
A walking cane is a mobility aid that supports a user's body weight. Acting like a crutch, it distributes the weight on your affected leg to your upper body. This results in effortless movement. In the United States, one-in-ten adults above sixty-five years rely on canes to move around. In addition, canes are made for long-term use as a popular mobility aid for the elderly.
The main disparities between a walking stick and a cane can be seen in the following factors:
A walking stick is designed mainly for balance and stability. It’s essential when hiking or walking on rough terrains. On the other hand, a walking cane is designed specially to transfer pressure off your affected leg to your upper body. Therefore, a walking cane is comfortable, reliable, and safer for practical daily usage than a walking stick.
A walking stick and a cane can effectively serve and benefit a group of users. For instance, a walking stick is suitable for people who use it for the short term. Some of these people include tourists, film actors, religious and political leaders, to name a few. While on the flip side, a walking cane is best for people who want to use it for the long term as a pain-reliever. A few of these users are the aged, injured persons, and disabled, to mention a few.
A walking stick and a cane always come with handles. Importantly, the handles also help us differentiate between them. Often, walking sticks feature novelty handles. Mostly, these elaborate designs cause severe pains. In contrast, a walking cane often comes with an ergonomic and comfortable handle. These handles provide greater comfort, safety, and pain-free to the user.
Between the two, experts regard walking sticks as purely fashion accessories. This is because they offer minor support to people battling joint pains. However, experts regard walking canes as mobility aids. The reason is they offer maximum support to users battling joint pains. Also, sometimes for life, it becomes their walking aid or companion.
The positioning of the devices offers another tremendous difference. For instance, those who use walking sticks often hold them in front of their body. However, walking cane users often hold them in the hand to the side of the body. This means to the opposite hand of the affected leg.
A walking cane is designed to be used daily over a long period. That’s why it’s suitable for people nursing joint pains and other body discomforts. On the other end, a walking stick is designed to be used over a shorter period. And that’s why it’s ideal for adventure seekers.
Now, you know the link between the two types of devices. And since each has a specific use, you should pick the right item for the right purpose. Always consider the following key factors when choosing your mobility device to make it easier for you. It will help save time and money!
A walking stick and a cane offer different help. Therefore, before buying any mobility device, consider its purpose and level of assistance. A stick is an excellent choice when you need extra support during hiking or to boost your fashion sense. However, a walking cane becomes your redeemer when you need a device for the long term. Such mobility aids are designed to offer massive balance while relieving pains.
Your weight is an essential factor to consider when buying a mobility device. Because it does affect the kind of mobility aid you can use effectively. A walking stick, because of its usage, is created to handle lightweights. But a walking cane is made to offer full-body support to its users. Therefore, it's ideal for heavier persons who need massive support to handle their weight.
Style and comfort are two factors that should guide your choice of mobility device. For example, if you’re the adventure seeker who needs a device that offers good looks, some support, and peace of mind during arduous activities, then a walking stick should be your next companion.
In contrast, most people would depend on a mobility device because of the long-term comfort. For instance, if you have less strength in your leg, an elderly or a disabled person, a walking cane should answer your challenge.
It’s purposely made to offer massive comfort, balance, and support to those who badly need it.
My Final Thoughts On Walking Sticks And Canes
Walking sticks and canes are useful devices with specific purposes. And even though most people think they are the same, we have identified that they aren’t. First, walking sticks are suitable for the short-term, whereas walking canes are ideal for the long-term.
Second, walking sticks offer immediate solutions to adventure seekers and people wanting to boost their fashion sense. Third, however, walking canes offer an immediate remedy to people wanting to manage their pain daily over a long period.
Again, canes are designed to handle heavier weights. This makes them ideal for supporting full body weight without breaking down. Sadly, you can’t say the same for walking sticks. They are designed to accommodate lighter weights, making them unsuitable for full body weight.
Additionally, sticks feature elaborate and flashy handles, causing severe pain to their users. However, walking canes boast comfortable handles, ensuring comfort and safety. Moreover, walking sticks are fashion accessories, whereas walking canes are authentic mobility aids.
At this juncture, you can confidently vote for the device that’s better at nursing joint pain and offering the utmost comfort.
We have come to the end of our comparison, and hopefully, you have added to your stock of knowledge. With this awareness, you’ll avoid common mistakes when buying these devices. Remember, you can’t use a walking stick in place of a walking cane. They function differently.
Finally, if you need the best price and quality for these items, you can buy them from our online store. Also, you can contact us with queries on walking sticks and canes. Our doors are opened!
]]>As a citizen of America, which of these holidays is your favorite and why?
In addition, how many holidays do you think we celebrate each year as proud Americans?
While you ponder over these questions, let me share mine briefly. Though the United States has eleven plus one holidays in a calendar year, Veterans Day is my favorite.
Why?
I've two emotional reasons for choosing this unforgettable day. First, I'm a product of the military. In plain language, my dad was a military officer. He devoted a decade of his life to defend the sovereignty of our enviable nation. May his spirit find solace with the almighty God!
Second, the ardor of our gallant military men and women in the face of death is unrivaled. It shows their bravery, nationalism, and readiness to defend our nation regardless of the outcome. Yes, they are keen to die for others to live.
How can you describe this?
Well, I'm not the only person who thinks highly of our brave men and women. But before you hear from few others, here is a quick recap of what you'll be learning next:
Thanks for staying with me!
Can we start? I think so!
Now, let's take a look at some inspirational Veterans Day quotes from some famous people.
I hope you can feel their true emotions flowing through their words. They have set the tone for this write-up. But, before we delve further, here are the holidays on our calendar:
These are the eleven federal holidays observed in the country. In addition, Inauguration Day adds up to make it twelve. It's celebrated every four years after each general election.
What Is the Meaning of Veterans Day?
Veterans Day is one of the federal holidays in the United States to honor military veterans. Each year, it's observed on November 11 to mark the end of World War I hostilities. In addition, it's meant to remember and thank the officers who served in the United States Armed Forces.
Why Is Veterans Day Important?
What Are the Facts About Veterans Day?
Veterans Day is rooted in our fabric as a nation. Yet, there are a few things most of us aren't aware of about this holiday. So, to set the record straight, here are the fundamental facts to know.
Lots of Americans think this emotional holiday is written in possessive form. Let's look at the two spellings - Veterans' Day and Veteran's Day. Neither is correct; why? Because it's a day that honors all veterans, it's spelled without an apostrophe. So, the right word is—Veterans Day.
Are Veterans and Memorial Day the same? Some Americans find it hard to recognize the difference. But, unfortunately, these holidays aren't the same. First, they are marked on different days. For instance, we observed Memorial Day on the last Monday of May while honoring Veterans Day on November 11 annually.
Second, they honor different events—for instance, Memorial Day is celebrated to honor and mourn the military officers who died serving our nation. In contrast, Veterans Day is celebrated to honor all military officers who have served the country—whether dead or alive.
Back then, was it called Veterans Day? Not at all! It started as Armistice Day, officially marking the end of World War I. It took effect on the unique timeline—eleventh hour, eleventh day, and eleventh month. On this day, President Woodrow Wilson signed the proclamation.
In 1968, through a Uniform Holiday Act, Congress changed the Veterans date. It moved from November 11 to the 4th Monday in October. Congress took this path to give federal workers a three-day weekend. In addition, they believed it would boost the economy via traveling.
However, after refusal by some states to honor the date, President Gerald Ford changed it back to the original day, November 11. Though the change began in 1975, it took effect in 1978.
The Armistice isn't unique to the United States alone. It's also dear to the allied forces that fought alongside the United States. So, they also adopted it as a day to be honored. Though Canada marks it on November 11, she prefers to call it—Remembrance Day. In addition, Great Britain calls her holiday—Remembrance Sunday. It's observed on the second Sunday of November.
Reliable data estimated that there are about 19.5 million veterans in the United States. Out of these staggering numbers, over 2 million are women. In addition, there are over 9 million veterans above the age of sixty-five.
Headed by the president as the commander-in-chief, the United States Armed Forces comprised six service branches. They worked in harmony to provide a protective guard for the nation in all departments. So, without further ado, let's look at their respective functions below:
The Air Force is the service arm of the military force responsible for defending the United States air bases. The Secretary of the Air Force leads it. And its five primary missions include:
The Army is the service arm of the military force responsible for the United States' land operations. The Secretary of the Army leads it. And its five core missions are:
The Coast Guard:
The Secretary of Homeland Security leads the Coast Guard. It's the branch of the military force responsible for the United States' maritime law enforcement. Five of its eleven principal missions are:
The Marine Corps is the maritime land service arm responsible for the United States' amphibious and expeditionary warfare operations. It's led by the Secretary of the Navy. And its core missions include:
The Navy is the maritime service arm responsible for protecting the United States' waterways beyond the jurisdictions of the Coast Guard. Its function covers both the sea and ocean operations. The Navy is led by the Secretary of the Navy, and its critical missions are:
The security of the Air Force leads the Space Force. It's the service branch responsible for protecting the United States and its allied interests in space. It performs this function by training, organizing, and equipping space forces. The primary missions of the Space Force are:
Why Is Veterans Day On November 11?
The United States chose this date because, officially, the hostilities of the First World War ended on that day in 1918. Therefore, it was marked as Armistice Day on November 11, 1919, under President Woodrow Wilson. The aim was to honor the military officers who fought gallantly, serving the interest of the nation.
Why Do We Celebrate Veterans Day?
Though serving in the Armed Forces is a scary dream, others find it a patriotic duty to serve their nation. While serving in different capacities, most of them become our heroes and heroines. So, to honor their sacrifices, Veterans Day was launched. It celebrates both the veterans who are dead or alive.
Is Veterans Day for Active Duty Too?
Veterans Day isn't for officers in active service. Instead, it commemorates those officers who had served in any of the six operating branches of the Armed Forces. For those in active service, the Armed Forces Day is reserved for them. It's observed on the third Saturday of May annually.
When Did Veterans Day Become A National Holiday?
Veterans Day became a national holiday in 1938. However, its origin dates back to November 11, 1918, ending a bitter war known across the world as World War I. Before 1938, Congress passed a resolution in 1926, giving it the legal backing it needed.
What Happens At 11 am On Veterans Day?
The 11 am on Veterans Day refers to the exact hour that the United States and its allied forces ended hostilities during World War I. So, around this time, a two-minute silence is observed to honor and thank all veterans in the United States. The day is celebrated amidst parades and church services across the country.
What Flower Is A Symbol of Veterans Day?
The red poppy became an official flower of the American Legion Family in 1920. The red poppy symbolizes the blood of the officers who died during World War I. In the United States, National Poppy Day is marked on the Friday before Memorial Day. It aimed to encourage people who received a flower to donate to support veterans' medical and financial needs.
Why Are Veterans So Special?
Finding a word to describe a person or group of persons who lay their lives for others to live is hard. In a logical light, I can't find the exact words to decorate our brave men and women. But when you point a gun at me, I'll quickly label them as demigods. You heard that right! They have shown integrity, bravery, patriotism, and sacrifice in their quest for defense and victory.
My Final Words On Veterans Day
Veterans Day is one of the federal holidays celebrated annually in the United States and some other countries. Though it differs from Memorial Day, some Americans hardly find the difference. Veterans Day honors all veterans—dead or living. However, Memorial Day honors those who are dead. These two, along with Armed Forces Day, are devoted to the military.
Veterans Day became part of America's history on November 11, 1919. It marks the end of horrors and victory for the United States and its alliance. With this sense of achievement, the allied forces also adopted the historical date into their calendar. Therefore, you'll find Australia, Canada, Great Britain, etc., honoring this special event on different days and names.
It's on record that there are about 19.5 million veterans in the United States. Interestingly, 9 million are above the age of 65, and about 50% of them are experiencing homelessness. The female veterans' figure is pegged at 2 million people. Despite their bravery, love, and sacrifice, some of them are suffering. So, we owned it as a duty to support them now that they are out of service.
I want to honor all our courageous veterans with a quote from President Woodrow Wilson—"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory."
Finally, as we look forward to the next Veterans Day, may God continue to bless America.
]]>Are you nursing a pain?
Do you have difficulty moving around?
And are you looking for the right cane for mobility and stability?
If yes, then you have landed on a treasure.
But before unveiling the treasure vault to you, could you do me a favor?
Would you?
Since you have nodded in the affirmative, let's begin.
Assuming today marks an exciting day in your family's history. That's your daughter's nuptial ceremony. As your only daughter, you plan to make this special event a superb one. But before then, you had your thirty minutes' routine walk. After covering half of the journey, your right foot slid into a ditch. Sadly, it got twisted, restraining your movement.
In this condition, how will you get back home to prepare for the mammoth occasion?
While waiting for your answer, let me keep my promise by showing you the treasure.
Let's keep moving!
Though the above scenario is imaginary, I hope you can relate to it. To get back on your feet, one surest way is to use a cane. A cane is a mobility device. It can help you deal with severe weakness, pain, or injury. It's also a suitable mobility aid for the aged and people with a stroke.
For a temporary or permanent condition, a cane is helpful. When used wisely, it can aid your balance, provide stability, and reduce pain. While enjoying these benefits, it will also make your walking feel safer and cozier. That's an extra bonus!
In the United States, about ten percent of adults over sixty-five years use canes. This statistic confirms their benefits and popularity. However, apart from old age, several conditions may force you to use a cane. Now, let's consider a few of them:
You should use a cane or any suggested walking aid when you can't walk freely. These different mobility devices include walkers, crutches, and wheelchairs. Also, to enjoy using your cane, you must observe certain precautions. These measures will allow you to derive the most benefit from your new companion. Therefore, I want to share ten safety tips with you. They include:
With the safety tips in mind, let's look at the other steps to help you use a cane practically.
Consider the Type of Canes Available
Canes aren't created the same. This is because there are varied conditions they address. As a result, you'll find variations in the market. So let's turn our attention to the common ones:
Don't let the name confuse you. I'm not talking about color here. White canes are mobile devices made solely for blind or visually impaired people. It helps them scan their area for impending obstacles that would obstruct their movement. In short, a white cane is a sighting aid.
A quad cane is a mobile device that supports walking and stability. But unlike standard cane, it has four ferrules at the foot. Often it's made from lightweight materials and offers more support.
Seated on three legs, the tripod cane offers extra stability and safety. It's also an improvement on the standard cane. Because it's a practical device, a tripod cane is suitable for seniors and disabled persons. It's an excellent alternative to either the traditional cane or the quad cane.
This unique cane gives you the freedom to alter your device to any height within a reasonable range. In addition, it has multiple shafts that allow users to perform this function.
Folding canes are suitable for stability and easy walking. In addition, they redistribute the weight from the painful leg. They can be folded and kept in a backpack, suitcase, or handbag when not in use.
This is a mobility aid that offers more fantastic support to the forearm. It has a cuff that users can slide their forearm into. Mostly, forearm canes are made from metal or plastic. They have the power to move the weight from the injured part to the upper body.
Consider the Styles of Your Cane
This style is optional. However, it wouldn't hurt to choose a cane that has your favorite color. In the market, you'll find plain canes and colorful ones. Well, you are at liberty to pick anyone that entices you. Primarily, colors are used for decorative purposes. Others are used to make profound statements according to the values of the user.
There are different grips for different users. While some give support to your forearm, others are suitable for the fingers and palm. To avoid pain, choose a grip that fits your hand. Be mindful that it shouldn't be too big or slippery.
The longest part of the cane is the shaft. So, your shaft choice should be robust enough to stand vigorous use. Wood, carbon fiber, and metals are few materials that form the shaft of canes.
Usually, ferrules are made from rubber. As a cap, they cover the tip of the cane and offer stability. For better traction, use a ferrule that is suitable for the intended surface. Though single ferrules are common, it isn't hard to find canes with multiple caps.
Consider the Length of Your Cane
Cane's length is essential for safety, comfort, and stability. However, there is no standard length for canes. So, the user's height defines the ideal size. To figure out your height, strictly follow the steps below:
How to Walk On Level Ground With Cane
Using a cane for the first time isn't clear-cut. There are few tricks you should learn. To achieve the ultimate result, consider the following factors:
How to Move Up and Down a Staircase
We have learned how to walk with a cane on level ground. It's time to master how to move up and down a staircase. Ascending and descending from stairs is trickier than walking on level ground. But don't worry; the steps below will guide you to move safely.
To move downstairs with your cane, follow these simple steps below:
When Should I Start Using a Cane?
There is no specific day and time for using a cane. So you can start today, tomorrow, or whenever it pleases you. It all depends on whether you need help with your movement. For instance, when you need extra stability, support, or balance when walking. I hope you get it!
How Long Should a Cane Be?
Again, this is a personal issue. There is no standard length for canes. Depending on the user, it can be long or short. Therefore, the ideal size of your cane is the distance between your wrist joint and the floor. When taking the measurement, try to stand in an upright position.
Is Walking Good for Bad Knee?
A bad knee is the injured one or the affected knee. Often, it's called the weaker or bad knee. Well, walking with a bad knee isn't a bad idea. However, take advice from your doctor. Walking is extremely powerful: it's a low activity that will improve your muscles. In addition, it can speed up your recovery process when combined well with a cane.
Do Walking Sticks Help Knees?
From personal experience, I will say an emphatic yes to this question. Canes are extremely helpful on all joint pains, including knees. When you walk with a cane, the stress on the knee is taken up by the cane. So you will experience less pain, increase movement, and faster healing.
When Using a Cane Which Leg Goes First?
This is a brilliant question to keep you safe. When you are walking on level ground, it's advisable to start with your weaker leg. Then, you follow up with the stronger one. In contrast, take a fresh approach when descending from stairs. You need to start with the stronger leg before moving the cane and the weaker leg together. In the same light, repeat these steps when moving up the stairs.
Why Use a Cane On the Opposite Side of the Injury?
I don't think you want to complicate issues here. This is a basic rule to ensure your safety and nothing else. In addition, having the cane in the opposite hand frees the weight from the affected leg. In effect, this lessens the weight on the injured and provides you with utmost support.
Do You Need a Prescription to Use a Cane?
My candid answer is yes and no. First, it's advisable to get a note from your doctor. Why? A doctor is an expert who can guide you through buying the most suitable cane for your situation. It takes away the guesswork and saves you time and money. However, when you know what is best for you, it's no crime to make a purchase. Also, our experts can help you with this decision.
How to Enjoy Using Your Cane for Maximum Safety and Stability
My Closing Remarks On Canes
Injuries, like the weather, are unpredictable. But when they occur, there are remedies for them. For instance, when an injury restricts your movement, a cane can be very helpful. Using a cane would improve your walking, give you wonderful balance, and keep you safe.
A cane can also quicken your healing process. Note, however, that the effective use of a cane depends on several factors. You need to consider the types, styles, length, and where to use them. These factors are highly vital for your safety and comfort, so don't compromise on them.
Always ask for help. And don't ignore your doctor if your cane isn't providing the needed aid.
]]>We've go you're covered. After you read this article, you'll know what to wear when hiking. I’m going to give you all the essential tips you'll need to make your next hike cozy, safe, and fun. Hiking is one of the exciting outdoor activities you can enjoy with careful planning. Otherwise, you ruin having a joyous and memorable adventure.
Hiking offers many benefits. It frees you from office politics. When you’re on the trails, the company’s meetings, dress code, deadlines, and aggrieved clients are out of your way. Again, you get away from the hustle and bustle of the urban lifestyle.
In the forest, you freshen up!
Despite the benefits, you still need to be cautious. Though you're out of the workplace, remember that you're entering a bigger one. Here, your boss is not the arrogant person tormenting you at work.
Instead, it's the earth’s owner, Mother Nature.
She has no preference for gender, color, race, education, culture, or social standing. Nature is just and fair, however, unpredictable. To hike without facing her wrath, you need to plan to avoid disasters. To equip you with the information on what to wear, I’ll focus on:
Before buying those fanciful hiking gear, let's plan.
Environmental Factors to Consider When Hiking:
The environment influences the choice of clothes to wear. Adhering to this ensures safety. People can choose to hike all–year round, but climate conditions aren't the same. Your choice of clothes must fit the season you're planning to hike—each season—winter, fall, spring, and summer-has suitable and unique hiking gear.
Your field trip would be terrible if you ignore this in your planning. For instance, it's advisable to go with hiking boots and waterproof jackets to keep safe during spring and fall. Again, you must consider the area. Is the area noted for a disease outbreak?
Or does it have widespread mosquitoes, ticks, bugs, and other harmful insects? To protect yourself from these vicious creatures, you must wear long sleeves and pants with treated insect repellent. Mother Nature can be fickle, so always plan against her fury.
It's also a good idea to carry a hiking or walking stick. There are many different style hiking sticks to select from. Different shapes, sizes and lengths. A proper walking stick is good to balance, distributing weight, moving brush, testing water depth and in some cases a walking stick can be used for protection against animals or humans. Some walking sticks even have survival gear built into them. Consider a good hiking or walking stick before you go on your hike.
What Are the Best Fabric Types for Hiking?
Hiking wears are many. They are made from several materials offering diverse effects. Choose with care because your life depends on them. Base your decision on safety, comfort, durability, and budget. Most hiking gears are made from the following fabrics:
This is the star among the stars. Merino wool is the ultimate fabric for all seasons. It’s the best choice for any season. And it's finer and softer, with breathable and odor-resistant effects. Clothes made from this material are washable, dry quicker, and wrinkle-resistant. Merino fabric is moisture-wicking, making it a suitable choice for the base and outer layers.
Unlike Merino wool, polyester is a synthetic fabric that isn’t costly. It’s a suitable material for making the base, mid, and outer layers of hiking gears. Polyester fabrics are durable, lighter, and dry faster. They are also good at wicking sweat—one requirement for hiking clothes.
Besides Merino wool and polyester, fleece is another fabric you should consider. It’s one of the most versatile materials for making hiking clothing. Fleece fabric is cheaper, light, and breathable. It’s ideal for making the mid-layers. And an excellent insulator made from polyester.
We can’t talk of fabrics without citing the product from the silkworms. Silk is a natural material with unique qualities. It's more robust, attractive, and luster. Though durable, it's not suitable for tough hiking. This is because it has poor wicking ability. However, all isn’t lost with the silk fabric. When chemically treated, its moisture-wicking ability can be revived. It’s worth–noting that silk fabrics do not come cheap.
In the fashion world, cotton stands tall among other durable fabrics. You may be among the millions who adore cotton clothing. Your fabric taste isn’t bad at all. However, they are less effective during hiking expeditions. They are poor insulators and moisture-wicking. Also, they aren’t ideal because they do not dry faster. If you can, avoid cotton gears.
What Are the Properties of Hiking Fabrics?
When selecting hiking fabrics, wicking is a must. Moisture-wicking is the ability to move sweat away from the skin during physical ability. It’s suitable for the base layers, meaning the clothes that touch the skin. Moisture-wicking fabric can also dry quickly. This prevents you from feeling sweaty or chilly while enjoying your fun moments.
Hiking fabrics should have insulating powers. This means the ability to keep the body warm at all times. Naturally, the body produces its heat. So a hiking fabric should be able to hold this heat for long. Insulating fabrics are ideal for making the mid-layers. Wool, fleece, and polyester are perfect examples.
The outer or shell layer of any hiking cloth should be waterproof. This property is the ability to prevent rain from soaking the garment. Most waterproof clothes can act as windproof. This is the ability for the gear to withstand terrible winds. Water and wind-proofing fabrics would protect you from drenching and colds.
Like humans, hiking garments must breathe. Thus, the fabric should move moisture from the inside to the outside. It's a reasonable requirement for the base layer. When moistures are taken away from the skin, it becomes dried and fresh. This prevents you from getting hypothermia. Merino wool is the ultimate fabric you need to enjoy this benefit.
Mobility is as crucial as the other qualities. To have fun hiking, your clothing choice should allow you to move at ease. Avoid going for garments that would restrict your movements. Some air–space between the layers is superb. Also, you can pick clothes with stretching ability.
We can’t downplay the benefits of the sun. But it can be one of the biggest enemies to hikers. You risk having skin cancer when exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet rays for long. Other sun-related diseases are well known. With these dangers in mind, pick clothing with an ultraviolet protection rating. The higher the rating, the better protection it would offer.
What Are the Basic Clothing Types for Hiking?
You can’t hit the trails with no suitable underwear. You’re at liberty to pick your favorite type. For instance, you can go for boxers, briefs, bikini briefs, etc. Ensure you have more than one. Your pick should wick moisture. It would keep you warm and comfortable. It’s advisable to avoid cotton. So you can count on wool or polyester in your underwear.
A shirt is a valuable outfit to partner with you on your adventure. Depending on the weather, you can pick between a short–sleeve and a long–sleeve. For a warmer climate, a short–sleeve is best. And for cooler conditions, you’re good to opt for a long–sleeve. Don’t forget to choose moisture-wicking fabric for your shirts. It will keep you comfy and happy.
This goes out to the fun-loving ladies. Choose a sporting bra that fits your breast size. Your fabric choice should be breathable, anti-odor, and quick–drying. To tighten, avoid the temptation of picking a super tight one. A bra that offers medium support is just better.
Freedom of movement is critical when choosing to hike. So find something that would protect you from the sun, sharp objects, and insect bites. Further, your fabric choice should be lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking. Polyester and nylon are good examples. You shouldn’t ignore the length and thickness of your pants. They will give you the utmost protection.
In all hiking voyages, ensure your jackets are part of the mission. Don’t discount lighter, waterproof, and windproof jackets. The weather would decide the type of jacket you should wear. For instance, when hiking in a cold and wet climate, a rain jacket is perfect. To be on the safest side, always choose a multipurpose jacket. It will help you face unexpected weather.
It’s time to keep your traction in check. Select your shoe based on personal taste, terrain, and weather. Hiking boots and trail runners are great shoes. Hiking boots are sturdy; they are perfect for snowy and rocky landscapes. If that is your preference, then go with lightweight and comfortable boots that give room to your feet to breathe. Trail runners are also beneficial. They dry faster, provide superb traction, and keep the feet secure. In all, keep your size in mind.
A sock with a suitable fabric will protect your feet from wetness and, in time, painful blisters. So, go for quick-drying fabric like wool or synthetic. It's also a very good idea to have an extra pair of socks. You can choose a thick wool sock to keep your feet warm during chilly nights. Always keep clean–dry pairs of socks. And note, your sock must be taller than your boot.
Regardless of the season, you need a hat to protect you from the harsh climate. A suitable hat is breathable, quick to dry, and has a wide brim that shelters you off the sun’s intense rays. This protects your head and its essential parts—eyes, ears, nose, and neck. Your hat needs to be lighter.
You might be asking yourself, what are hiking Gaiters? Gaiters are vital accessories you can add to your list of hiking gears. They will protect your hiking footwear from rain, pebbles, debris, and insect invasion. With these potential threats out of your path, you can hike for long hours. Gaiters keep your feet more comfortable.
To keep your hands warm and protected, lightweight gloves are your savior. They should come from synthetic or wool fabric. You can also look at mittens as they are warmer than gloves. For extra safety, both mittens and liner gloves can be layered together. Also, don't forget waterproof and insulated gloves. They are handy and essential to have.
Sunglasses can be optional but essential. In a snow-covered landscape, this accessory will protect your sight. The potential to have headaches and snow blindness is high if you don’t protect your eyes. Practical hiking sunglasses have a side shield for protecting your vision.
This is another optional device. However, it can be part of your rain gears. An umbrella is a fantastic add-on to protect you from the rain and sun. It’s also beneficial when hiking in desert areas. Always use lightweight and wind–resistant umbrellas for convenient hiking.
The Various Seasons And What to Wear
Springtime is another term for spring. This unpredictable weather comes between winter and summer. Based on personal taste, you can wear a short or long–sleeve shirt. Convertible pants, fleece, and waterproof jackets should be part of your backpack. For the highest support and traction, use hiking boots or sneakers. Also, let your hat be in place to protect you from sunshine and rain.
Most people like hiking in the summer. Among the four seasons, it’s the warmest. It falls between spring and autumn (fall). It requires less layering as the weather is predictable. You can step out in any suitable hiking footwear. It can be a hiking sandal, sneaker, or boot.
Your hiking clothes, from head to toe, should be breathable and moisture-wicking. Don't forget the sun's protector—a wide-brimmed hat. During this period, you’re likely to face insects, reptiles, and poisonous plants. So, plan for these hazards.
Fall or autumn is the period between summer and winter. During this season, temperatures are steadily reducing. The watchword here for hikers is layering. To shed off moisture from your skin, choose wool or synthetic fabric for your base clothing. Your mid-layers should be lightweight, warm, and breathable. For the outer shell, look for water and wind-proofing clothes. Wicking socks and durable hiking boots are your weapons against the weather.
Winter comes between fall and spring. It’s the coldest season of the year. With lower temperatures, rainfall and snow are typical. Unlike summer, you need to appreciate layers when hiking during this time. The base layers must be made from wool or synthetic fabric.
They should have insulating and wicking abilities. The same goes for the mid-layers. The shell layer (outer layer) should be water and windproof. Pick sturdy hiking boots and a wicking pair of socks to match. Care for your hands and head with warm gloves and rounded hats.
The Commandments for Successful Hiking
Wrapping Up:
This in-depth article should help you on what to wear when hiking.
Nature offers the most remarkable cure in the world. It’s the center of healing. From spring to winter, you’ll gain different hiking experiences. While on the trails, learning becomes endless. Yet, the zeal to explore can lead to disasters. Yes, nature can be cruel with its unexpected events.
These can include violent winds, falling trees, chilly weather, and intense sun–bite. Others include disease outbreaks, insect–infections, and poisonous plants. Interestingly, with careful planning, you can reduce these threats.
Choosing the most suitable hiking clothes is a step in the right direction. Moisture-wicking, quick-drying, and breathable fabrics should be on top of your list. You should always aim for durability and comfort. More so, never forget your hiking accessories.
Finally, practice with different layers until you find the best fit. Pay serious attention to fabric, comfort, weight, fit, and budget. Follow these tips, and your next adventure would be the safest.
]]>To give you an insight, I’ll like to stimulate your mind with the scenario below:
You find yourself in the forest in the company of two friends. After two hours of exploring and admiring nature, you decide to take a rest under a massive baobab tree. Suddenly, a dried branch fell on your knee, hurting one of your friends as well. With darkness in sight and your car a distance away, how will you get back home without further endangering your life?
Using walking sticks goes as far back as when the first human walked the earth. They are sometimes called walking poles, trekking poles, hiking poles, walkers, or simply as sticks. They have inked their symbolism in every facet of life.
Whether in medicine, religion, sports, tourism, or fashion, you’ll find them walking with courage and in several creative designs. Like many things in life, walking sticks divide opinions. Some think they are nuisances, but others shower praises for their countless benefits.
To help you decide, I'll try to present both sides of the argument to you. So, in this write–up, I’ll cover the following essential topics:
Let’s head straight into the jungle to find answers to the above issues:
Walking sticks are mobility devices, tools, or gadgets that are mainly used to support walking. They provide balance, stability and reduce stress on the body parts—knees, legs, backs, feet, etc. Besides improving moods and confidence, they can also act as fashion accessories and protective gear when the need arises.
The market is filled with walking sticks varieties. From various colors, patterns, shapes, materials, and uses, you’ll find one or two that speak to your emotion. The following are just a few of them:
Joint pains are unbearable. You'll mostly feel these pains on your knees, ankles, feet, backbend, and hips. A walking stick will aid you in stabilizing these aches. It will spread the pains from the affected area or joint to the rest of your body. In effect, this reduces the weight and stress off your aching joints, helping you to experience less or no pain.
Do you feel happy walking awkwardly? I guess not! Everyone would like to walk upright. Walking upright boots confidence and helps you mingle with others. It’s sad to limp on one leg. To improve your stability, a walking stick is an affordable remedy. It gives you the extra leg to aid your movement. Don’t forget, three legs are far better than one.
For nature enthusiasts, a walking stick is a handy tool. Walking in the woods to discover nature and its beautiful scenes can be both exciting and endangering. However, the risk is heightened when you’re crossing a water source—rivers, streams, lakes, etc. To reduce the danger, a walking stick becomes the measuring tool to test the deepness of the water.
People stroll when they are tired, injured, or aged. This is a natural incident that needs no debate. Whether aged, injured, or tired, a walking stick can help you move a little quicker at a steady pace. Using a walking stick can help you cover a longer distance without you feeling much weariness in the same light.
The gym is the prominent place people tend to when they want to build muscles. While it's pretty expensive, it's not the only means for adding extra flesh to the body. Walking sticks offer you the most effective and affordable means of working out your entire muscles at once. It builds your arms, chest, neck, and shoulders. It also improves your lower abdomen.
Wow! This is massive. Walking sticks or trekking poles offer therapeutic benefits to the heart and lungs. Countless studies from reputable organizations have proven that people who use walking sticks burn about 46% calories more than those who do not use them. In effect, it strengthens the lungs, heart, and other vital organs in your body.
Mountain hiking is one of the riskiest but exciting outdoor adventures. It entails walking on uneven trails or moving up and down. When you embark on this expedition without a trekking pole, you’re likely to damage your knee or easily trip off from the mountain.
So hikers use walking sticks to provide more balance and stability to their movement while trekking. For instance, they can use the sticks as brakes when descending.
Life is unpredictable, so it’s always wise to protect yourself against the unknown. As a hiking enthusiast, wild animals can attack you as you voyage through the forest and rocky hills. A word of caution: you shouldn’t go into the woods unprepared. To arm yourself against these attacks, a walking stick can serve as your defensive or offensive weapon.
All of us use a lot of energy when we walk. This makes us stress–up and quickly get tired from the least activity we do. However, we can use walking aids to save some amount of energy. This is because they reduce fatigue, depression, and stress. You can call them energy–savers.
Humans like comfort, so we hate it when something gets in our way. Usually, using a walking stick would restrict you from performing other simple tasks comfortably. This is true when you’re using two walking sticks at the same time.
With a walking stick, your hands become occupy, making it challenging to grab a bottle of water, munch your snack, or even check your directional map. These simple activities are massively part of the excitement.
Closely related to the above, walking sticks can make it tough for you to capture moments for future references. To enjoy your sightseeing, you’ve to be in the position to capture the magical moments. But this is not something you can do easily. With both hands stuck to the walking stick, it becomes difficult to set your camera in motion.
A walking stick aims to offer massive support to the user. But they can be problematic when care is not applied. It takes skills and courage to use walking sticks in potentially dangerous places. These include deep waters, steep edges, narrow paths, muddy waters, etc. In these areas, the wrong usage of the stick can hurt you or even throw you overboard.
You can’t embark on a sightseeing mission without a piece of luggage. Your luggage will contain some essential items for the trip. Adding your walking stick to these items would increase the weight of your luggage.
If the luggage is small, the stick can’t enter it unless you change to a bigger one. Even with a bigger one, they may take up space. You may also encounter some challenges with immigration officers when traveling overseas, as they may see your walking sticks as weapons.
We should protect our environment for the next generation. Most nature admirers are aware of this and strive hard to abide by the rules governing nature. But sometimes, they can break this requirement when they misuse the walking sticks. For instance, the tip of most walking sticks can cause scars in rocks, damage vegetation, and dig up the surface of the soil.
You’ve learned about the impacts of using a walking stick. Now, we shall look at when one can use a walking stick for its maximum benefit. Not in any order, I present you with five instances:
My Final Words:
You’ve been an excellent explorer for staying till the end. Our journey to the forest has brought two schools of thought. We have seen those who feel walking sticks are fantastic tools to have. We have also identified those who aren’t in favor of it.
Both factions have valid points worth noting. Regardless of the negative points expressed, walking sticks are becoming a lifestyle. They are attracting both the young and old, male and female, abled or disabled, etc. The fact remains that their benefits outweigh their drawbacks.
They are famous for practical reasons. If you’re still in a dreamland as far as their many benefits are concerned, try to use one. You can borrow one from any loved one—a friend, relative, teacher, etc. From this experiment, you'll come up with your testimony.
Even under a tight budget, you can have a unique, elegant, and sturdy walking stick that will be the talk of the town. Just like any success in life, you'll have inner joy when you craft your own walking stick. Yes, it will highlight your creative flair and boosts your pride.
The entire process of making a walking stick offers an exciting and rewarding experience. In this guide, I’ll walk you through thirteen actionable steps you can follow to design a custom walking stick that will compete with the store ones. Together, let’s explore the following steps:
Let’s get started on our fun activities!
Since nature is orderly, you must start with the “first things first” principle. To make the finest walking stick, you must decide the kind or type you need. There are several of them available, and they serve specific purposes. Why do you need a walking stick? An answer to this question would create a vivid image of the device you want, and it would open your mind to more ideas. With this hurdle out of the way, you’ll be on an exciting trip with your project.
It’s time to organize your tools. These handy tools will help you craft a workable walking stick. Luckily, these simple machines are affordable and easy to find in most stores across the world. Again, some of you may readily have most of them at home. For safety, efficiency, and timely completion of work, you need the following essential equipment:
The fun but most challenging part of the project is where to get to the woods. Though you can find woods at many places, the forest offers the best natural source for finding free sticks. While searching for your lumber, be mindful of protecting nature.
You can either use dried or fresh woods. Most people like the dried woods because they are ready to make walking sticks. To protect Mother Nature, avoid cutting saplings from a live tree. You can find a freshly fallen branch when you search long enough. Keep in mind that fresh sticks take a longer time to cure.
The quality of your walking stick depends upon your choice of wood. To be on the safest side, search for hardwoods instead of soft ones. Hardwoods will give you a sturdy and elegant end product. On the other hand, softwoods do not offer a better finishing and are prone to breakages. A few of the hardwoods you must consider are:
In choosing these woods, you should also consider the following key factors to ensure you are using the best wood for your walking stick:
The height of your stick is paramount. Always go for a straight wood that extends from your wrist bone to the floor. When making a hiking stick, the optimum height should be from the floor to your shoulder level. Never compromise on this crucial factor because it determines how comfortable your walking stick will be.
This factor is a two-edged sword. The presence of insect infestation can impact the strength, quality, and beauty of your walking stick. Depending on the intensity of the bite, it can be negative or positive. A plank of wood with a bit of insect feasting can offer a unique design to your final product. However, you need to be mindful of this symptom and avoid it if you can find an alternative raw material.
Like insect infestation, a knot can also ruin or reign the quality of wood, directly impacting your walking stick. A robust, thick wood with knots can offer unique patterns to your walking stick. However, its downside outweighs its benefit. These joints are difficult to sand and are signs your walking stick will break under severe pressure. It’s prudent to avoid knots.
The thickness of your chosen wood will define how long your walking stick will last. Therefore, the choice of the wood’s diameter should correspond to your weight, strength, and the usage of the walking stick. For optimum results, go for wood with enough thickness and roundness.
I recommended using fallen and dried woods because of their positive impacts on the environment and the walking stick. However, you must apply critical thinking here. A fallen wood that has stayed for long, lost its moisture content, and brittle is not suitable for a walking stick. To test the strength of the wood, insert one end into a crotch of a tree and exert some pressure at the other end. A durable wood that’s ideal for your project wouldn’t bend or break.
You've followed the steps above and found a lovely wood. It's time to cut the wood into the required length of your choice. When trimming out the excess branches, be careful not to get your hand into contact with the saw’s blade. You can use any available saw to do this task—handsaw, electric jigsaw, or keyhole saw. Should children be around, you must be extra alert.
At this stage, you need to get gentle on the wood. Before removing the bark, shave off any extra bumps and twigs around the wood. Afterward, from one end through to the middle of the wood, start removing the bark of the wood. You can use any convenient whittling tool—sharp knife, pocket knife, plane, etc. to get the task done. With a short, gentle stroke, keep shaving till all the layers get off, exposing the bright wood under the layers.
While you can move to the next stage with dried woods, it's highly advisable to dry any fresh lumber. Factors like weather conditions and wood type would influence the drying period. Sometimes, it can take a longer time. You need the patience to cure your wood correctly.
Also, you’ve to turn it from time to time to ensure a fair curing process. You can hang it up in a cool dark place for the best result, preferably a garage. Always aim for rigidity and not brittleness.
You’re going to aim for smoothness at this level. With good sandpaper, smooth down any knot before moving to the shank. Gradually, start with 100 grit sandpaper, 200 grit, and 400 grit to ensure a smooth surface.
Disk sander or hand sander can perform this task equally well. Frequently rub your fingers along the surface to feel the wood’s texture. Keep sanding till the wood becomes perfectly smooth with no rough edges.
After sanding, some residue of the sawdust would remain on the walking stick. It's advisable to use a clean rag to wipe off the dust from the surface of your artifact. Perform this task gently to ensure no dirt is left on your walking.
Everyone has a unique identity. At this stage, you're at liberty to decorate your walking stick to fit your personality. You can start by adding a unique handle to the top of your staff. You can take inspiration from other walking sticks on the market. It's not uncommon to find handles like a crutch, derby, petite, anatomic, crook, and fischer.
Instead of handles, you can also personalize the top of your walking sticks with creative heads of lions, fishes, horses, eagles, snakes, bears, etc. You’re limited only by your creative mind and the ability to carve such shapes. You can add your name, initials, and other symbols to the shank.
You can either stain or leave your walking stick in its natural state. If you decide to stain your stick, follow the instructions on the package. There are several stain colors in the store, so ensure you know the best color that suits the wood you've chosen. You must perform this activity in a well–ventilated area.
Also, don't forget to use protective gadgets—gloves, nose masks, glasses, etc. Again, consider applying either polyurethane or varnish as a protective coating to your stick. To avoid strokes forming on your stick, use quality brushes. Afterward, let it dry thoroughly.
You’ve invested a lot of time and other resources into this project. So it’s wise to protect your creation from rotting, cracking, and splitting. To do this, you must safeguard the base. The base is the part of the walking stick that will receive tremendous pressure and shock.
You can use a rubber stopper, cap, or copper pipe to secure the base. To fasten the copper pipe to the end of the stick, apply some adhesive—wood glue or epoxy resin into the fitting. Using a mallet, fix the base of the walking stick into the copper pipe. Clean any spilled off and dry it.
The last stage is to grip and loop your walking stick. This choice is entirely up to you. If you prefer a hanger on your walking stick, then you need to consider the material you want to use. There are several options—cord, hemp, leather, nylon, twine, fabric strap, etc.
To add a hand grip, start at the grip area. Get a sizeable length of robe, about 15 cm long; secure it vertically with any fastener—glue, pins, or small nails along the walking stick. Now, from top to bottom, wrap your preferred material completely to cover the glued area. Finally, tie it off at the base where the robe ends.
Thus, your wrapping should cover the 15 cm length. To have a secure loop, drill a hole through your walking stick, slightly above the grip region. Then, let your looping material pass through the hole and tie it into a loop. You’re ready to hang your walking stick for storage and protection.
Bringing Down the Curtains:
Congrats! You’ve made it to the finishing line. You’ll agree with me that making a walking still isn’t hard. Instead, it's a lengthy process requiring patience, time, and safety precaution to get the work done. I firmly believe that the time invested is worth the experience and the gadget.
In your search for quality woods, you must keep in mind to protect the environment. Mother Nature needs all and sundry to continue blessing us with her abundance. Always make it a habit to source for fallen woods instead of cutting fresh ones from live trees.
No matter the difficulty of finding such woods, there’s always the possibility of locating one when you search long enough. Also, never forget to wear your protective clothing when making your walking stick. Your safety is as important as the protection of the forest. Let’s be alive!
]]>And are walking sticks made for a specific group of people or occasions?
If you are like me, these might be some of the lingering questions that come to mind whenever the word—walking stick is mentioned. With our magic walking sticks, let’s hit the subway to ask the experts the following questions:
People Who Use Walking Sticks
To most people, walking sticks are suitable for the elderly and those with physical disabilities. Yes, these are the people that readily come to mind. And unfortunately, their conditions compelled medical experts to recommend mobility aids to ease their pains and balance their movements.
Regardless of age or permanent medical condition, walking sticks are beneficial in other aspects of life. So they aren’t unique to vulnerable people in our societies or restricted solely for health conditions or reasons.
The need for walking sticks goes beyond body injuries. They play an exciting role in fields such as religion, tourism, film, fashion, and defense, among others. Without further ado, let’s delve briefly into these other sectors where the use of walking stick has become a common practice:
In major religions worldwide, you may find religious leaders holding custom walking sticks during critical religious events. A typical case in point is in Islam, where the Imam delivers the Khutbah while leaning on a stick. It's also common knowledge to find the Roman Catholic Pope in public with an extraordinary stick in hand.
Mountain hiking is one exciting activity that tourism offers. However, it sometimes comes with unexpected challenges. To ensure safety when climbing upwards or downwards, hikers use walking sticks to support their weight or body from tipping off. These nature lovers can also use walking sticks to clear objects obstructing their trails—bushes, spider web, and thick roots.
A movie is all about storytelling. And depending upon the character, whether the story is fictional or factual, it should appear believable to the audience. To tell some of these stories, actors and actresses use walking sticks to portray their unique characters.
Fashion is a world of beauty, appearance, and colors. In this aesthetic environment, designers used walking sticks as fashionable accessories. The designers and models in this industry use them to match their unique creations and sell their brands to a specific market niche.
This may sound strange to some people. But some people indeed used walking sticks to defend themselves. Some custom walking sticks have hidden storage space in them for keeping knives or swords. These are rare walking sticks used as defensive or offensive weapons to safeguard against bad people or wild animals.
Choosing A Suitable Walking Stick
Having explored these other areas where walking sticks are needed, let’s now look at the factors to consider when choosing a walking stick. I'll focus on five keys:
Height matters significantly in the selection of a walking stick. I can't make emphasis on this any less. When choosing a walking stick, either for yourself or loved ones, you must be mindful of the size. This is because the wrong height wouldn't provide the intended benefit to the user.
A walking stick designed purposely for an adult wouldn't be a good fit for a child. This must be at the core of your decision–making process because it's crucial to the balance and mobility of the user. Follow the steps below to figure out the correct height you need for your walking stick:
The strength and durability of your walking stick depend on the material used. This will determine if it would last for long or not. Luckily, you can find walking sticks made from authentic materials. From these varieties, you can make an excellent choice. The most common materials for walking sticks are:
Walking sticks made from wood are popular for various reasons. They are less expensive, durable, and can be carved into any shape to fit the user's taste. They can be made from hazel, oak, chestnut, and ash. Other potent and beautiful woods can also be used.
Some walking sticks are lightweight, durable, and attractive. These are mostly made from aluminum or steel. Often, metal walking sticks are adjustable. This provides more flexibility and comfort to the user. Metal walking sticks are sometimes called telescopic.
Engineers refer to carbon fiber as graphite fiber. It’s a polymer and a powerful material for producing many items. It’s five–times stronger than steel and still lighter weight, making it a suitable choice for making walking sticks. A walking stick made from carbon fiber material is also known as a telescopic.
How cozy would it feel to use a walking stick without a handle? Well, a walking stick is incomplete and useless without a suitable handle. A handle is one of the vital factors to consider when choosing a walking stick.
It provides the support and ease of use to neutralize the pressure from your body. Also, it gives a unique identity to your personality. Though there are more handles to pick from, let me highlight six of them here:
As the name suggests, these handles are bent to provide unique benefits to the user. Undeniably, they are the oldest handles still in vogue today. Usually, they are crafted for everyday use. With crook handles, you can hook your walking stick to your chair when not in use.
These handles are designed and shaped in a right–angled style. Because of this unique shape, people sometimes called them T–handles. They are classic designs that offer stable and comfortable support to their users. The reason is that users can grip their palms easily to the handle with no difficulty.
They look like the T–handles but offer more grip and comfort than most other handle types. They can also be called ergonomic handles. These handles are crafted to fit the palm and to provide equal distribution of pain. It's ideal for people suffering from weak hands and pains. For instance, it's suitable for patients having rheumatism or arthritis.
When you’re searching for a handle that blends the designs of the crutch and crook handles, then the derby handle is highly recommended. Its curved end allows the user's palm to be gripped firmly to the walking stick. This prevents the palm from drifting. Most people are in love with this handle because it’s elegant and suitable for attending official functions. You can also hang it over to your chair or table when not active.
Medical practitioners often recommend Fischer handles to patients suffering from arthritis and rheumatism. They come in various models that offer comfortable designs that help spread weight and pressure across the palm. You'll find models for both hands—left and right handles.
Petite means small. So, Petite handles are created for people with small hands, especially women. Though it’s like the Derby handles, it's relatively small in scope. These handles also provide relaxation and support to their users.
There are different walking sticks available on the market. Knowing them would help you pick the kind that offers you the best support and balance. Here are the four most common types of walking sticks you can look at:
These are the most common and affordable walking sticks on the market. Mostly, you’ll find them in crook or T–shape designs. They make it more convenient for their users to maintain stability when moving.
These are walking sticks that offer more stability than the standard ones. This is because they have wider bases or come with four-pointer stops instead of one. They are suitable for people with intense mobility challenges, particularly seniors and people likely to tip–off easily.
From the name, these walking sticks can be folded and unfolded. They have a single–pointer end that touches the floor. However, you can adjust them to any suitable height to fit the user. Folding walking sticks are ideal for people who want to travel while taking care of their balance. Also, they are sturdy and light, making them a preferred option for these same travelers.
People with sharp pains may need to take some breaks from time to time. So, the most suitable mobility aid for them is the seat walking stick. As the name implies, these walking sticks have seats attached to them. Usually, you can find them with a single–point stopper or multiple stoppers. After walking for a while, users can use the seats when they feel they are tired.
Walking sticks come in different colors. You can go for bright or neutral colors. This gives you the option to pick your favorite colors out of the lot. It can be blue, green, yellow, white, black, or pink. It's important to know that you can use colors to convey feelings, beliefs, or personality.
You can also ensure your walking stick color matches your dress, your pet, or some unforgettable events in your life. There is more you can do with colors. To help you further understand the emotions of some colors, I have picked the common ones below:
You aren’t limited to single colors. You can pick walking sticks with multiple colors that resonate with the vibes and charisma you want people to associate with you.
How to Use Your Walking Sticks:
Wrapping It All Up
The vulnerable people in our communities—the aged, injured, and those living with physical disabilities are most likely to use walking sticks. This would help them ease their pains, balance their movements, and to improve their mobility.
Yet, the benefits of these mobile aids are for everyone. As you have read, the use of walking sticks transcends the medical field. They are great tools in the entertainment, sports, fashion, and tourism industries. Still, these are few sectors of the economy out of the lot.
It’s vital to discount the notion that walking sticks make one feel old. Every challenge comes with its unique remedy. And walking sticks are there to solve specific problems at specific times. For medical conditions, you must embrace them to worsen your condition further not.
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