It seems like those of us in the health and wellness
professions are always harping on the benefits of physical activity. But it is
true! Physical activity has many benefits for all age groups. It is
well-documented that being active is one of the most important things you can
do for your health. With July being Park and Recreation Month, this is a good
time to think about how important parks can be for us. With athletic fields,
hiking trails, bike paths, playgrounds, and more, they can assist with the physical
activity goals that we have set for ourselves and our families.
The CDC continues to recommend that children have 60 minutes
or more of physical activity per day and adults 150 minutes a week. The
activity can be broken up into various increments with whatever works for the
individual. What does physical activity do? Physical activity helps us feel
better, function better, and sleep better.
Children:
- Improves attention and memory
- Reduces depression risk
- Builds strong muscles and increases endurance
- Improves blood pressure and aerobic fitness
- Helps maintain normal blood sugar levels
- Reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity
- Strengthens bones
- Helps regulate body weight and reduce body fat
- Immediate benefits: improves sleep quality, reduces anxiety and blood pressure
- Long-term benefits: brain health (reduces risk of dementia and depression), heart health (lowers risk of stroke, heart disease, type 2 diabetes), cancer prevention (lowers risk of cancer to bladder, breast, colon, endometrium, esophagus, kidney, lung, stomach), healthy weight (reduces risk of weight gain), independent living (helps people live independently longer), bone strength (improves our bone health), balance and coordination (reduces risks of falls)
This year’s Park and Recreation Month focuses on the
recognition of more than 160,000 full-time park and recreation professionals,
along with hundreds of part-time employees, seasonal workers, and volunteers
who maintain our country’s parks. The theme for this year is “Where You Belong”
which celebrates all of the ways that park and recreation professionals across
our country promote a sense of belonging for all people. This includes
welcoming and inclusive programs and fundamental services for all ages and
abilities in the hope of making meaningful connections with others.
Let’s continue to support the importance of parks and
recreation in keeping our families and communities healthy. If you need a
little inspiration (along with a few laughs), watch an episode of Parks and
Recreation again. Afterwards, go find a park and soak up the nature and beauty
that surrounds you. Breathe deep, then get moving.
Discover
the Forest
https://discovertheforest.org
Huron-Clinton
Metroparks
https://metroparks.com
Michigan
National Park Service
https://www.nps.gov/state/mi/index.htm
U.S.
National Park Service – Find a Park
https://www.nps.gov/findapark/index.htm
https://www.nrpa.org/events/july/
https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/benefits/index.html
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