Canadian doctors have begun to prescribe national park passes to adults to improve their mental well being. There is growing evidence that spending time outdoors helps improve mood, alleviates stress, helps with attention, lower blood pressure, improve physical health, and promotes a better night’s sleep. People are also more likely to have an increase in physical activity outdoors which also provides an extra boost of serotonin to the brain.
Saskatchewan winters are famous for being grueling and long. Not everyone is able to embrace winter outdoor activities resulting in more time spent indoors and less exposure to natural sunlight. Lower levels of serotonin can be linked to anxiety and depression. Not having exposure to enough sunlight can also have a negative effect on sleep patterns.
Ideas for getting outdoors:
Take a break
A mindful walk
Connect and move
Bring the kids!
Sunrise, Sunsets, and Sun Dogs
Written by Jenny Lyons-Mouyios, Clinical Counsellor with Wildflowers