Visit North Carolina State Parks This Summer To Get Your Fill Of Healthy Greens
By Susan Allison-Dean, RN, MS, AHN-BC, CCAP is a Board Certified Advanced Holistic Nurse, CEO & Founder of The Nature Nurse™, PLLC. Follow @TheNatureNurse on Social Media
Did you know that North Carolina’s State Parks are full of healthy greens that can enhance our health and well-being? I’m not talking about the edible greens-collards, lettuce, turnips greens, and others that we know, and love, here in the south. I’m talking about the other kind of lush, leafy, or needly evergreen foliage that grows on trees, shrubs, and other plants. The type of greens that we don’t eat, but nurture our souls, calm our minds, and help heal our bodies, as we hike through a forest, walk along a trail, or just sit and enjoy the summer splendor in a park.
There are now over 1,000 studies linking nature to our health and well-being. Embracing a healthy lifestyle, including time with nature, has been shown to increase the probability of living a longer, more active life. The better we feel, the more likely we are to take ownership of our holistic health and incorporate positive health behaviors into our lives. North Carolina’s State Parks are stepping up to help us with these goals.
Just how much time do we need to spend in nature, and what benefits might we experience? Let’s take a look at what some of the research is showing us.
A groundbreaking study of over 20,000 people in the United Kingdom published in 2020 found that people who spent at least 120 minutes in nature a week reported significantly higher good health and psychological well-being, than those who spent less than that. The greatest holistic health benefit was reported by those who spent between 200–300 minutes per week engaging with nature.
How the participants divvied up the time, didn’t change the results. So, for example, walking in a park for a half-hour, enjoying a picnic with friends or family for an hour, and hanging in a hammock for a half-hour, would meet the minimum 120-minute recommendation for a week. See how easy it can be?
The study results were the same for all the people studied regardless of gender, age, occupation, ethnicity, or economic status. Even those with long-term illnesses or disabilities benefitted from this time in nature. The message is clear; we humans need nature.
Cultivating a relationship with nature is very similar to healthy relationship building with people. It takes time, but the rewards are wonderful.
For those of us who grew up with lots of nature exposure, we may want to look at new ways to connect deeper with nature. Perhaps we will want to invite others, who have had less access, to join us so they too can experience the joy that can be found in North Carolinas diverse State Parks.
Others of us may be fearful, or unfamiliar, with our State Parks. You are not alone. I have worked with people from all walks of life, with various degrees of nature
experience; including some who have been raised in big cities and have never touched dirt. Nature welcomes us all, and the North Carolina State Parks system has something for everyone, including park rangers that host all kinds of events. This may be a comfortable way to get introduced to a park unfamiliar to us.
Currently, North Carolina State Parks offers 41 spaces for us to indulge in natural, green spaces. Summer is the best time to do so while tree canopies are leafy, and daylight is most abundant.
I can share all kinds of research with you, but I can tell you from years of experience as a nurse, we need to feel the unlimited benefits nature offers for ourselves if we are going to take the time to incorporate this practice into our daily lives. We have to be willing to give it a try and open to expanding our awareness of nature’s healing power.
Research has shown that people underestimate how good they will feel after visiting green spaces. They are often surprised by how much calmer, more energized they feel. Once we make that connection, however, we are much more likely to spend more time with nature and get in that ideal 200–300 minutes per week.
IDEAS ON HOW TO UTILIZE OUR STATE PARKS TO ENHANCE OUR HEALTH AND WELL-BEING:
GREEN EXERCISE:
Movement and strength training are an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. The CDC Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition recommends adults should do at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise, or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity, or a combination of the two each week. In addition, we should do muscle-strength training of moderate or greater intensity that involves the major muscle groups two or more days per week. Always consult with your licensed healthcare professionals if you have questions, concerns, or mobility challenges before starting a new exercise practice.
When we exercise in our parks, it’s a win-win. We tackle two key health practices at the same time- getting our “Vitamin N” (a fictitious term for Nature), as well as our exercise requirement at the same time. Studies show that exercising in green spaces enhances mood, reduces stress, helps alleviate depression, improves self-esteem, and can help reduce blood pressure. Nature is the perfect gym.
GATHER WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY
North Carolina State Parks offer lots of spaces to spend time with people we care about. Whether we want to gather for a meal, celebrate an important event like a birthday or graduation; North Carolina State Parks offer picnic sites where we can
grill or just enjoy a cake. There are also large covered shelters, some include large fireplaces for year-round use.
As we begin to emerge from isolating ourselves at home, these outdoor spaces offer us the safest option to gather while we continue to battle Covid-19.
FOREST BATHING
Slowly strolling through a forest, taking time to engage all our senses while staying in the present moment, is a practice called forest bathing. Created in Japan, it is also known as shinrin-yoku. The formal way to do this is with a Trained Guide in a forest that has been certified. We can get a taste of what this is like on our own, however. The more intentionally we connect with the different parts of a forest, the more we can experience.
To give this a try, find a quiet area, preferably in the woods, or in a nature area where you feel comfortable. Take a few slow deep breaths. Notice the unique scents of the woods. Many trees give off tree aerosols that can help boost our immunity. North Carolina is fortunate to have parks filled with conifers, like pines. Pines give off alpha-pinene, which may act as a decongestant, open up our airways, and even reduce pain.
Next, notice the variety of barks wrapping the trunks of the trees around you. Maybe reach out, allow your fingers to feel the different textures. Lookup; notice the tree canopies, how the light reflects, and shifts as clouds wander along the Carolina blue sky. Appreciate the cooling effect these trees offer us on a warm sunny day. Does reading this make you feel more relaxed? Wait until you try it outside. The most significant benefit Forest Bathing has been shown to have in a number of studies is reducing anxiety.
Connect deeper through a guided imagery exercise. Imagine you are a tree in the forest. You are strong, your roots go deep into the ground, wind alongside the roots of nearby trees, some dig deep into the earth. Stand tall; allow your upper body to reach towards the sky, alongside the trees near you. Do you feel empowered, part of the forest? Do you feel the joy inside you blossoming? Feeling connected, even to nature, can help the joy inside each of us shine.
JUST BE AND CATCH UP WITH YOURSELF
We refresh our computers, in order to make them work better, but what about our minds? In today’s fast-paced world, filled with many distractions, we need to be more intentional about giving our brains a break too. Nature is the perfect place to help restore our mental health.
Medical Disclaimer: The contents of NC PATH website and NC PATH Social Networks, such as text, graphics, images, and other materials created by the NC PATH, and other materials contained on NC PATH’s website and social channels are for informational purposes only. The NC PATH content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Before starting this or any other wellness program, consult your physician or other qualified health provider. Additionally, always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition
