Thursday Thoughts Ed. 42 - Get Outside!
Dear
Readers,
Here in
Oregon we may not be blessed with months and months of fabulous sunny weather
but we more than make up for it with crisp fresh mild days and a serious “I’m
gonna get out there anyway” attitude.
Many
Americans spend over 90% of their time indoors. From house to car to work and
back again, our outdoor time is limited. We all know how good it feels to be
out in the fresh air and how much better our minds and bodies feel when we get
out there, even just for a short time.
Being
out in nature is so good for us! We reap the benefits of fresh, oxygen rich
air, the healing effects of natural sunlight, the grounding feeling of natural
terrain and a renewed sense of peace and connectedness with the world around
us.
Recent
studies have investigated the many health benefits of nature, from increased
immunity (less allergies) to decreased brain fog (clear headedness). Nature
revitalizes!
Here
are some of the highlights….
On Fresh Air:
“Plants
and trees are like living, breathing air filters. They detoxify the air
by absorbing many substances that can be harmful to humans, like excess carbon
dioxide and dust particles. They also create oxygen, which we need to
live and to function. NASA researchers conducted a study years ago, which
found that having just two houseplants per 100 square feet of space removed
toxins and dramatically improved air quality in a house.”
On Vitamin D and Sunlight:
“It is
true that too much sunlight to the point of getting burned is not healthy, but
avoiding sunlight can be worse for your health. Recent research on
vitamin D shows many Americans are deficient despite fortified foods and
supplementation. Sunlight greatly increased the abundance of this vitamin
which more accurately acts like a hormone. Through its effects on Vitamin
D, sunlight helps prevent cancer, bone disease, depression and many other
illnesses that are now only beginning to be understood. Also because
Vitamin D can help lower and control insulin, sunlight may also play a role to
helping people reach their weight loss goals. Evidence suggests that
forests and other nature areas help in people’s recovery from stress and
fatigue.”
On Earth:
“Exercising
on a natural surface imparts tremendous benefit to your musculoskeletal
system. In order to continue to improve musculoskeletal health uneven or
natural terrain like grass fields, trails, hills, and other obstacles should be
utilized. This can significantly decrease the risk of foot, ankle and
knee injuries.”
On Feeling Good:
“Research
suggests that exposure to nature areas increases positive emotions while
negative emotions decrease only when exposure to natural areas is relatively
high. Multiple studies point to a link between plants and improved
physical health. Patients who could see trees and other greenery from
their hospital window required less pain medication than those who didn’t have
a green view. Just visually experiencing a natural setting can be shown
to reduce stress. Stress relief, as measured through muscle tension,
blood pressure and electrical brain activity, can be demonstrated within some
minutes of exposure to a green environment.”
Want to
get out there?!?!
Check
out these options at NWPT. Don’t live near us check out your local newspaper’s
outdoors section or blog for your own outdoor adventure ideas.
The hiking club will meet for 5 fabulous hikes this year.
Get
outside to enjoy everything nature has to offer with your NWPT trainers and
meet hikers with similar goals. You will learn about different types of gear
and improve your strength and stamina.
This group is for all
levels of hiking experience, novice hikers excited to learn everything they
need to know, to advanced hikers and climbers. However... some of these are
challenging hikes, so your fitness level is a consideration. You need to be
prepared for these hikes. Come to our informational meeting Saturday May 12th
from 1:30 to 2:30pm at our Portland Location. YOU CAN DO IT!
Experience the beautiful NW Oregon Wine Country
This is
the type of adventure that you’ve always wanted to experience but never had the
time to organize. Join us for this scenic and memorable biking tour of the
Oregon Wine Country. A trip that you will never forget!
We invite you to join us
for a trip that will most definitely be the trip of a lifetime.
This weekend we are
heading out for the first camping trip of the year. I’m excited just thinking
about it. I love getting all the supplies together, packing the car and
setting off into the wilderness. Sometimes we know where we are going and
sometimes we don’t. No matter what, we end up in the right spot and life is
grand, special, magic and memorable. I feel more personal freedom and
connectedness sitting beneath the stars and trees. Getting back into nature
feels like a gift to my soul. My watch stops. Time is kept by the sun and the
campfire. Snuggled in my downy sleeping bag, my heart is quiet and full. I wish
I could stay here forever. I feel more alive. Again, I will make a promise to
take this feeling home.
All my best to you,
Remy
--
Remy
Maguire, NASM-Personal Trainer
ACE -
Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant
Northwest
Women's Fitness Club/
Northwest
Personal Training
2714 NE
Broadway
Portland, OR
97232
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