CITY WALKING TRAILS - HAPPINESS HUB

Let’s Take a Walk-through Trails in the City ………….

Unique Features:

• Happiness: Happiness comes through good health, physical fitness, good mental health, and social interactions that can be brought in by developing public spaces that enable such a development.

• Connection to nature: Walking trails in the city provide a positive connection to nature within an urban environment to enjoy green spaces, nature landscapes which enhance the overall quality of life and provide a sense of tranquillity and relaxation from city life.

• Health and well-being: To encourage a healthier lifestyle among residents by promoting physical activity which reduces the prevalence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), obesity, improved mental health and increased overall wellbeing for the population.

• Tourism and economic impact: Well-maintained walking trails can attract tourists which contributes to cities’ economy by enhancing the reputation as a desirable destination.

• Intergenerational engagement hub: serves as a gathering place for community members for social interaction which fosters a sense of community with healthy intergenerational activities to make the city a more vibrant and engaging place to live.

Benefits:

• Increased physical activity and mobility among older adults.

• Enhanced social connections and a sense of community building.

• Reduction in the risk of age-related illnesses and disabilities.

• Improved overall well-being and quality of life for older individuals.

• Establishing Kochi as a model age-friendly city with innovative strategies for active ageing.

  Community support & Health services:

• Health kiosks-Checkups, Screening,

• Wellness services- Yoga, Laughter club, Nutrition club, Healthy refreshments, Reflexology tracks or trails, Open Gym

• Demonstration of physical and mental exercises - Resistance exercise, Strength training, Postural training, seated exercises, Facial exercises, Meditation, Mind-Body exercises

• Customized health care tailoring (if required)

Beneficiaries:

• Residents of all ages: To engage in physical activity, promoting health and well-being for the entire community.

• Older adults: Helping to improve mobility, balance and overall fitness through low impact form of exercise.

• Children and families: To engage in outdoor activities, fostering a love for nature and physical activity to provide quality time together.

• Individual with disabilities: Well- designed trails, which is accessible providing an inclusive environment for outdoor recreation and exercise.

• Tourists and visitors: A unique way to explore the city and natural surroundings which contributes to local economy.

• Community organizations: trails which serves as a focal point for community events, group activities, social gatherings which promotes community engagement and connectedness.

Components of the Project

1. Identification of City Walking Trails:

• Utilize existing popular areas frequented by older individuals: JLN Stadium, Fort Kochi and Marine Drive.

• Assess and enhance the infrastructure to make these areas age-friendly, including public comfort stations, proper lighting, seating arrangements, smooth pathways, Drinking water, and Healthy refreshments, Reflexology tracks.

1. Happiness and mindfulness initiatives

   • Laughter Clubs

   • Music Therapy

   • Happiness YOGA

2. Health Kiosks along Walking Routes:

   • Install Health Kiosks along the walking routes to provide health messages, emergency services, and basic health checks.

   • Collaborate with local healthcare institutions to offer periodic health check-ups and screenings at these kiosks.

   • Health Services available in Kiosks:

*Health check-ups - Weight, Height, BMI, BP, Blood sugar

*Health drink /Sports water dispenser.

*YOGA - Geriatric yoga (Chair Yoga, Balancing Yoga, Pranayama)

*Exercise training

*Mental Health training- Focused Meditation, Pet companionship

*Diabetic retinopathy screening & Glaucoma screening

*Fall assessments

· Other provisions:

*Suggestion box

*Helpdesk for knowing Govt schemes

*Help desk to inform abuse

*Group discussion

*Intergenerational activities -Engagement with students, Kids zone

4. City Walkers Clubs:

• Establish City Walkers Clubs at each of the identified walking trails.

• Encourage older individuals to join these clubs to foster a sense of community and social interaction.

5. Senior Health Ambassadors:

• Recruit and train senior health ambassadors from the community.

• Equip ambassadors with knowledge of proper walking posture and leadership skills to coordinate walking tours for small groups of elderly individuals.

6. WhatsApp Community:

• Create WhatsApp groups for each City Walkers Club to facilitate communication and information sharing.

• Establish a broader WhatsApp community connecting all groups to share health tips, information, and encourage peer support.

7. Partnership with Healthcare Institutions:

• Residents' associations in the locality can provide support through volunteering in conducting events and running of the health kiosk.

• Collaborate with local healthcare institutions, laboratories, and hospitals to provide healthcare services to City Walkers Clubs.

• Self-help groups such as Kudumbasree can provide options for healthy refreshments along the trails.

• NCD Clinics of health department - NHM and NAM can provide program related services.

• Arrange periodic Demonstration of exercises for older persons, recreational activities, Yoga sessions, Laughter clubs, health talks, workshops, and screenings conducted by healthcare professionals.