Fall is the perfect time to get outdoors in Pittsburgh. The blazing heat of summer is behind us, and winter’s chill has yet to arrive. Plus, spending some time hiking in the woods or taking in one of our great local parks is good for your physical health and your mental well-being!
Research has demonstrated that spending time outdoors is good for:
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Improving memory and cognition
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Relieving stress and anxiety
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Decreasing depression
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Boosting energy
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Sustaining focus
In terms of physical health, spending time outside enhances your immune system and may even help with pain management, according to some research. There’s also evidence that outdoor activity lowers blood pressure and may help to reduce the risk of developing cancer.
When you head out on a sunny day, you’ll be giving your body a healthy dose of the Vitamin D it needs for many functions, including promoting bone health and helping your muscles, nerves and immune system to function properly.
Any number of activities, from gardening to walking around your neighborhood, can help you access the benefits of being outdoors. If you haven’t engaged in outdoor activity for a while, you may not know where to start to get back into the swing of things. Enter Venture Outdoors, which has a program specifically designed to give seniors access to outdoor activities like hiking and kayaking.
The program, which is generously funded by the Jewish Healthcare Foundation, is called Venture Outdoors Again. It gives adults 50 years of age or older the opportunity to participate in Venture Outdoors activities free of charge. More info can be found here: https://www.ventureoutdoors.org/activity/age-based-trips/venture-outdoors-again-50/ or by calling 412-255-0564
Sources: http://mentalfloss.com/article/70548/11-scientific-benefits-being-outdoors
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