Nature is Needed in the Time of COVID-19
Getting outside and enjoying nature has a plethora of benefits for our mental and physical health, and during this time is the safest way to reconnect with our loved ones while still socially distancing. The Center of Wellness and Nutrition lays out some of the benefits and ways you can advantage of them. Go for a walk around the neighborhood, ride a bike with your friend or sit on your porch to enjoy the sunshine. All you have to do is take a step outside your door!
This article by the Center of Wellness and Nutrition (CWN) is exactly the type of information that OEFA loves to share. After you check out this article, get outside and enjoy all that nature has to offer!
“Spending time in nature can improve both mental and physical health, as well as reducing stress and promoting healing ”
This piece was published in a recent CWN newsletter. Read the whole article below or click here.
“With the new realities of most daily activities happening at home like work and school and the lack of physical contact with other family members, friends, and colleagues due to COVID-19, many people have expressed feelings of isolation while honoring the shelter-in-place directive.
While gyms, theaters, and indoor dining aren’t currently possible, we can still go outside, and health experts are pointing to outdoor activities as a safer way for us to leave our homes. Lisa M. Carlson, MPH, MCHES, president of the American Public Health Association, says people can — and should — look to the nature around them for refuge. “People need to stay connected to each other and to nature. These troubled times in particular are key times to embrace nature — while practicing physical distancing,” Carlson says1. This is also true for children, as research has shown that access to green space is linked to a child’s well-being and time outside can impact behavioral regulation2. Spending time in nature can improve both mental and physical health, as well as reducing stress and promoting healing.
With July 2020 being declared as Parks Make Life Better!® Month by the California Park & Recreation Society, now is the time to continue or begin these practices! Parks Make Life Better!® Month is a state-wide public awareness campaign that aims to inform the public about the importance of going to local parks, recreation areas, trails, and open space as a respite for all Californians impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution details can be found at their website Parks Make Life Better! 2020 Resolution.
In honor of Parks Make Life Better!® Month, CWN has compiled a list of tips for getting the most out of nature during COVID-19:
Go for a walk, jog, or bike ride in your neighborhood, on a trail, or at a local park. Try looking at trees or flowers as you go to provide some much-needed stress relief.
Make it a morning or evening ritual. Consistency will help add structure to your day. Try a daily dose of time in nature. Wearing a mask will help protect you while performing this lower-risk activity.
Picnic in your yard, front stoop, or at a local park. Even spending 15 minutes in the sun will give you your daily dose of sun-sourced vitamin D.
Try bird watching. This one might require some background research, but it will be well worth it! Look online for common birds in your area, strap on your shoes, and start looking up at the trees. Check out your neighborhood or park for different birds and consider making a simple bird bingo card that the kids will love!
Take a virtual tour of a national park or seek out nature videos. If you find yourself sheltering in place in a densely populated urban area and cannot access nature easily, look for nature videos or nature sounds for a relaxing break from scrolling your phone. Many National Parks offer virtual tours online!
So, go ahead, open yourself up to nature and let it nurture you!”