Hiking for Body, Mind, and Spirit

Did some hiking at Stebbins Canyon this afternoon. It was very very crowded by the time we got there. Usually we go early in the morning to miss the crowd but we decided it wouldn't be so busy on a Monday holiday since not everyone gets it off. Uhh schools are closed! So there were lots of people. Lorrie and Jambo took their time and went a little faster so that it could be a training hike rather than just a leisurely hike. It feels strange to rush up a hike without stopping much to look around. But that's
what I need to be doing right now.

Some fact from the National Wildlife Federation

http://www.nwf.org/be-out-there/why-be-out-there/health-benefits.aspx:

Body

• Outdoor play increases fitness levels and builds active, healthy bodies, an important strategy in helping the one in three American kids who are obese⁷ get fit.
• Spending time outside raises levels of Vitamin D, helping protect children from future bone problems, heart disease, diabetes and other health issues.⁸
• Being out there improves distance vision and lowers the chance of nearsightedness.⁹

Mind

• Exposure to natural settings may be widely effective in reducing ADHD symptoms.¹⁰
• Schools with environmental education programs score higher on standardized tests in math, reading, writing and listening.¹¹
• Exposure to environment-based education significantly increases student performance on tests of their critical thinking skills.¹²

Spirit

• Children’s stress levels fall within minutes of seeing green spaces.¹³
• Play protects children’s emotional development whereas loss of free time and a hurried lifestyle can contribute to anxiety and depression.¹⁴
• Nature makes you nicer, enhancing social interactions, value for community and close relationships.¹⁵


Please donate to give urban youth the option of the outdoors: http://support.bigcitymountaineers.org/goto/summitjourney