It’s time to celebrate July as National Park and Recreation Month. Parks are places to gather with friends and family, spaces to celebrate life’s special moments, sites to relax in and great areas to get outdoors and play.
Whether you’re walking, biking, exploring a trail, bird-watching or enjoying Frisbee or card games, parks and play go hand in hand and can help improve your health and well-being. What benefits can you reap from playing outside?
Improved mood: If you’re looking for a natural mood booster, getting outdoors could be just what you need. Studies have shown that spending time outside reduces anxiety, depression and stress. And it’s not just the beautiful scenery that impacts your well-being. The sounds of nature have also been shown to lower blood pressure and reduce the levels of cortisol, the body’s stress hormone.
Better focus: In today’s fast-paced world, it’s easy to get overstimulated and mentally fatigued. Heading outside and enjoying nature provides a mental break from all the things trying to capture our attention. Studies have shown that nature breaks can improve focus and memory by 20%.
Stronger immunity: When you soak in the sunshine, your body starts producing vitamin D — a key nutrient for your immune system. Studies suggest vitamin D can protect against several diseases, including cancer, heart disease and osteoporosis. But with most of us spending 90% of our time indoors, our bodies aren’t producing enough vitamin D.
More energy: Play is not just for kids — it’s a vital part of health and well-being for adults too! But as we get older, life and work commitments can take over, and we often stop making time for play in our day. Play for adults has been shown to increase energy and help keep us feeling young.
It’s easier than you may think to reap the benefits of getting outdoors and playing. Studies have shown that just 17 minutes a day (120 minutes per week) spent in a green space like a nearby park is enough for you to experience the benefits of getting outdoors. So, go ahead — find a park, get outdoors and play like a kid!
