Washington County Weekend Post

GMTODAY.COM SUNDAY, AUGUST 2, 2020 • WASHINGTON COUNTY POST • 5B ENTERTAINMENT (METRO) – People who live in regions where win- ters are cold often note the feeling of rejuvenation they enjoy on the first warm day of late-winter or spring. The chance to get outside and soak up some sun while breathing some warm air is a feeling unlike any other for those who spend much of their winters bundled up in layers of clothing. The value of spending time outdoors extends well beyond dusting off winter cabin fever, providing long- term benefits that might sur- prise even the most ardent outdoor enthusiast. A 2018 report from researchers at the University of East Anglia found that living close to nature and spending time outside has wide-rang- ing health benefits, includ- ing a reduced risk for type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, preterm birth, stress, and high blood pressure. Authors of the report studied data from across the globe, gathering evidence from more than 140 studies involving more than 290 million people. Researchers cannot pin- point exactly why people who spend ample time in greenspaces enjoy better health. However, the benefits appear to be so wide-ranging as to suggest that people who currently do not spend much time in greenspaces should make a concerted effort to do so. The following are a handful of ways busy individuals can start spend- ing more time outdoors. • Dine al fresco. On nights when the weather is fair, take dinner into the great outdoors. People who live in private homes can dine on the patio or on the deck in the backyard, while apartment dwellers can make use of local parks for nighttime picnics or dine on balconies or rooftop recre- ational areas, which have become popular in crowded metropolitan areas. Rooftops and balconies may not pass the "Is it greenspace?" test, but dining in such areas can be more relaxing than an apartment dining nook. • Get off the couch. Don't hesitate to get outside when night falls. Spend time in the backyard or go for nightly walks around the neighborhood or in a nearby park. Say so long to televi- sion binging sessions, mak- ing healthier and more bene- ficial use of nightly free time by utilizing nearby greenspaces. • Go hiking on week- ends. Even city dwellers no doubt live within driving dis- tance of local hiking areas. Hiking provides a host of cardiovascular benefits and can make for a great, full- body workout. Researchers associated with the UEA report suggested that the practice of forest bathing, which is popular in Japan and promotes spending time sitting down or lying in nature, exposes people to a diverse array of bacteria present in natural areas that may benefit the immune system and reduce inflam- mation. People who think that accessing nature is helping them to stay healthy aren't wrong. In fact, making time to include nature in your daily or weekly routine can have positive and wide- ranging effects on your over- all health. Getting outdoors really is good for you (BPT) – Summer is offi- cially here. After spending the past few months cooped up, the urge to get out and explore the great outdoors - safely - is stronger than ever. But, the pandemic has left many wary of travel by air, rail, bus and other means of mass transportation.Instead, travelers are packing up their families and taking to the road. According to AAA, car trips will account for 97% of the favored mode of trans- portation this summer. For those needing a vacation that is relaxing, rejuvenating and, most of all, reachable on four wheels, a summer camping trip just might be the best option. Follow these tips to get the most out of your camping trip. Selecting your campsite From roughing it in the backwoods to glamping in a fully-furnished yurt, there are many campsite options to choose from when plan- ning. First, you'll want to decide what type of experi- ence you are hoping to enjoy. Are you pulling a camper trailer or a tent? Do you want to drive up, stake out your tent and be relaxing next to the campfire within an hour? Do you want to grab your pack and hike out to the backcountry where there are no maintained roads or trails? Once you've decided, do your research to find the campsite that meets your needs by visiting websites for campgrounds nearby or your state's Department of Natural Resources. Prepping your vehicle Before you hit the road, you'll want to take care of some basic vehicle mainte- nance to help avoid running into issues during your trip. One thing many of us tend to overlook before a trip are tires. It's important to take the time to inspect your tires to ensure you and your passengers are riding down the road safely. This starts with checking the air pressure to ensure each tire is at the factory recom- mended inflation. Then it's on to the tire tread. You can use the penny test to make sure you have a safe amount of tread remaining. Anything below 2/32 of an inch is considered worn and should be replaced. If you're planning to take more camping trips this summer, you'll want to consider upgrading your vehicle with proper tires that will perform on any terrain like the BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2. The KO2 offers aggressive all- terrain traction to confident- ly get you where you want to go whether you're driving on dry or wet pavement, snow, mud or rocks. The KO2 is perfect for year-round use in any weather condition. In fact, it is Three Peak Mountain Snowflake Rated, which means it exceeds the Rubber Manufacturer Association Severe Snow Traction requirements. Next, pop the hood and check your oil. Is your car or truck due for an oil change? Will your road trip to the campground put you over the recommended miles between oil changes? If you answered yes to either of these questions, be sure to get your oil changed prior to your vacation. While you're at it, you should also check your air filter and battery. Make sure both are clean, free of dirt and operating as intended. If not, these items should be cleaned or replaced. Packing your gear Now that you know where you're going and how you're going to get there, it's time to pack your gear for the perfect outdoor getaway. A few essential items you'll need, in addition to your preferred shelter, are cooking utensils, footwear, insect repellent and a first aid kit. Just because you're camping doesn't mean you won't eat well. With the prop- er meal prep and kitchen tools, you will be enjoying your favorite camp meals in the great outdoors. A must- have at any camp is a cast iron pan for cooking every- thing from eggs and bacon to steak and potatoes. You'll also want to invest in quality reusable eating utensils - fork, knife, spoon, cup - to ensure you can enjoy the fruits of your cooking labor while reducing waste. If you plan to take a leisurely or demanding hike, you'll want to make sure you have adequate footwear that provides the comfort and support you need to traverse rugged terrain. You'll be spending a lot of time on your feet, so it's important to invest in quality shoes or you'll be stuck at the campsite nursing blisters and unnecessary aches and pains. A little fresh air and vitamin D may be just what the doctor ordered for those needing a reprieve from the stress of the past few months. And, following these simple tips will put you on the path toward the perfect summer camping trip. Tips for the perfect summer camping trip (METRO) – Stress is a part of many people's daily lives. A recent survey from the American Psychological Association found that 44 percent of Americans feel their stress levels have increased over the past five years. Children also are struggling, with almost a one-third reporting that they have experienced a health symptom associated with stress, such as stomach aches, trouble sleeping and headaches. Calming activities that can tone down the body's stress responses are great ways to alleviate stress. Sum- mertime is an ideal time of the year to embrace relaxing activities because the hustle and bustle of everyday life tends to slow down during the summer, when kids are out of school and vacations are on the docket. These hob- bies and other interests can help tame stress by promot- ing calm. • Listen to and/or play music. Music can be ener- gizing or calming, depending on which music you choose. Researchers at Stanford Uni- versity found that rhythmic music may have therapeutic effects for treating a range of neurological conditions, as it stimulates the brain and can perhaps change how it func- tions. Familiar melodies and gentle music can reduce the level of the stress hormone cortisol. • Gardening: Gardening lets a person tend to living things while getting some fresh air. Both the sunlight and the activity itself can be soothing and have a positive effect on mood. A study from the Journal of Health Psychology found that gardening, like listening to music, lowers cortisol levels. • Grab a good book. Taking the time to unwind and read can help ease ten- sion in the muscles, lower one's heart rate and induce calm. Research from the consultancy Mindlab Inter- national at the University of Sussex found reading reduced stress levels by 68 percent. • Start painting or crafting. Engaging in a cre- ative hobby sharpens the mind and improves focus. You may also want to try focusing emotions onto the canvas to help release ten- sion. A 2014 study published in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy found that 81.5 percent of respon- dents with depression reported feeling happy after knitting. • Take a dance class. A form of art and music, danc- ing can promote well-being through exercise and expan- sion of creative ability. It also can be good for the mind. A study from Swedish researchers that was pub- lished in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that a danc- ing intervention program, twice weekly for eight months, helped teenage girls struggling with stress, anxi- ety, depression, and other problems. Many relaxing activities can tame stress, and these activities can be perfect for lazy summer days. Explore these relaxing hobbies

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