Just when we thought nothing could top the “good for you” news about chocolate…
…research shows that paddling is good not only for our physical health, but for our mental health as well!
Here are some of the benefits that will have you reaching for your paddle:
If you’ve ever pedalled up a hill before, it probably wouldn’t surprise you to hear that cycling is great for working the lower body, but did you know the health benefits reach far beyond your quads and hamstrings?
Check out these brain and body benefits of cycling:
Today’s post comes from Sarah McMichael, Ontario Parks’ Healthy Parks Healthy People Coordinator.
Backcountry camping is known for being a way to experience beautiful, serene landscapes. But a backcountry trip also provides an opportunity to challenge yourself physically and mentally.
The combination of paddling, portaging, and hiking through the backcountry is a great all-over workout. Plus, you will experience a ton of health benefits simply by being outdoors.
Hit the backcountry for a killer total-body workout this summer. Let’s do this!
It’s probably no surprise that hiking is good for your health, but it might surprise you that the benefits reach from head to toe!
Check out the brain and body benefits of hiking:
Time to reach for our sleeping bags and tents?
Research shows that camping in nature is good for our mental and physical well-being.
What better reason to head out with family and friends into the great outdoors and sleep under the stars?
Check out the brain and body benefits of camping:
Continue reading Try a regular dose of camping for good health
For those who suffer from asthma or allergies, the warmer weather and park visits can sometimes mean running nose, watery eyes or breathing difficulties.
It’s time for a quick pollen lesson to better equip you to take control of your breathing.
This post comes from Sarah McMichael, Ontario Parks’ Healthy Parks Healthy People Coordinator.
As the snow melts in the spring, you can often spot leftover trash along our roads, sidewalks, and trails.
How many times have you walked past this trash while out for a walk, run, or jog? Did you pick it up, or leave it on the ground?
A new environmentally friendly workout trend is encouraging you to stop and pick up litter during your outdoor exercises.
It’s called plogging, and it’s an amazing way to keep our environment and our bodies healthy at the same time.
Earth Week is an annual reminder of how important it is to celebrate our beautiful planet and do our part to protect it for future generations.
It’s also a timely reminder of how essential it is to instill a love – and respect – of the outdoors in our children. It’s something we can’t start too early.
Recent research shows that if you give kids (aged five to ten) an immersive experience in nature, it will lead to a lifelong love for the environment and a sense of stewardship for the earth. You’ll also likely produce more creative thinkers!
Algonquin Provincial Park Biologist Alison Lake offers these tips on how to raise environmentally conscious kids in an increasingly urban and regulated world:
Continue reading How to raise environmentally conscious kids
Who needs a gym membership when you have the outdoors?
Outdoor exercise has a stronger effect on blood pressure and mood than indoor exercise. Stress is relieved within minutes of exposure to nature as measured by muscle tension, blood pressure, and brain activity.
To put it simply, time spent outside is good for you! On World Health Day, let’s take a look at a few fun outdoor activities that can improve your health.
Continue reading 5 outdoor activities to improve your health
Today’s post comes from Camille Koon, a Learning and Education Leader with Ontario Parks.
“The best teachers are those who show you where to look, but don’t tell you what to see.” – Alexandra K. Trenfor, educator
Every child who visits a park should see it as an exciting adventure waiting to unfold. With lakes, rivers, beaches, forests, fields, and more, the opportunities for discovery are endless.
By observing the diversity of plants and animals found in the outdoors, children discover the wonders of nature and develop a deeper appreciation for it.
Here are five ways we can empower all children to become explorers of the world around them.
