The Newsy Neighbour Magazine
www.TheNewsyNeighbour.com
May Issue 115
Article Provided By: Kathryn Hartwell
GET OUTSIDE AND ENJOY THE SUNSHINE
The snow is finally gone and the days
are warm and long. It’s time to get serious about summer and spend every
possible moment outdoors. Nothing creates lasting summer memories like a
glorious day at the beach. Alberta has lots of lakes and a white sandy beach is
never far away. Pick your favourite water sport: motor boating, water skiing,
jet skiing or swimming. Sail or kite surf. Pack a picnic and make a leisurely
day of it – watch the sunset and end the day with a cold beverage, barbeque,
and a bonfire.
Now, back in the day when I was a youngster in the 1950s and 1960s,
(I think I am dating myself), horseback trail riding and hiking were my favourite
summer activities. Actually, for a number of years, my parents would ship my
sister and me off to a horse camp just outside of Sylvan Lake for 4 weeks every
summer and we loved it. Now that I’m a bit older, my outdoor recreational
activities are more along the line of a walk with the dogs. But I do try to
stay active and spend as much time outdoors as possible – summer is just too
darn short and I believe incorporating physical activity into your leisure and
recreation activities is an ideal way to fit more exercise into your schedule
-- as well as address your mental wellness.DO IT FOR YOUR HEALTH
Taking part in recreational activities, particularly outdoors, can improve your physical wellness. In fact, people who frequently take advantage of park activities have fewer doctor visits, lower body mass indexes and lower systolic blood pressures than those who don't. Mental wellness is an important part of your overall health and can impact your physical well-being. Participating in leisure and recreation activities can help you better manage stress and reduce depression. Leisure provides you the chance to find balance in your life; it also puts you in control of how you're spending your time, which is an important consideration because you may feel overwhelmed by obligations. Taking part in leisure activities as a family is also beneficial for your kids because you're modeling healthy ways to handle stress and emotions. Participating in leisure activities regularly reduces depression; in fact, just thinking about past outdoor recreation experiences can improve your mood. Finding balance is also a reason why leisure and recreation can enhance your quality of life. Physical recreation in particular, is associated with improved self-esteem. In addition, you're more likely to feel satisfied about your life when you regularly take part in recreation activities. This has significant implications for your mental health and, in turn, your physical health
When you are inactive, you are highly susceptible to a number of chronic conditions, such as high blood pressure, high triglycerides, diabetes and high cholesterol. Aerobic physical activity can help eliminate or reduce all of these risk factors. Go for a little run or a bike ride with the kids; there are wonderful bike paths throughout Chestermere and Strathmore. In fact, you can go to www.smorepaths.ca to download an app that has all of the town’s pathways! When you are exercising your body, your brain releases chemicals that make you feel good.
Whatever you decide to do just get out there and do it – for your family and for your health.
Kathryn Hartwell
No comments:
Post a Comment