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Thanks for welcoming HealthLinks Newsletter into your day.
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Get outside 20 minutes a day, six days a week. Two hours a week, regardless of whether your time is spent in a single visit or over the course of several shorter visits, is all that’s needed for you to experience the physiological benefits of nature. Read more about them in our Story of the Week.
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The Healing Power of Nature
Hey, how’s the weather up there? Pretty cloudy, actually. Trees release clouds of phytoncides as part of their daily metabolic process. These compounds create a protective microclimate to defend against pests and disease.
Strong trees and stronger immune systems. Breathing in the forest air increases the activity and number of natural killer cells in your body, a white blood cell that battles viruses and fights cancer cell generation and development.
Beyond the treetops. In addition to findings connecting nature to a healthy body, features of a forest lend themselves to spiritual and psychological healing. For example, ongoing work in psycho-evolutionary theory considers how natural features and patterns can foster psychophysiological stress recovery. Although connections continue to emerge, no one really knows why specific aspects of nature resonate so effectively with humans.
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Despite the research describing the benefits of nature, data shows that people in the United States spend little time in nature.
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The average American spends 93% of his or her life indoors;*
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A majority of adults report spending five or fewer hours in nature each week.**
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April 1 to 3 - Stop and smell the flowers. Speaking of getting outside, head to the Summerville Family YMCA Flowertown Festival. Support the Y and wellness programs by enjoying one of the largest arts and crafts festivals in the Southeast.
April 2 - “Get over it.” - The 45th Annual Cooper River Bridge Run is this Saturday! Join runners from around the world in celebrating movement and promoting health and wellness through education.
April 7 and 8 - Leveraging LGBTQ+ health care. - The Medical University of South Carolina is presenting its first inaugural LGBTQ+ Health Equity Summit, kicking off with keynote remarks from the first transgender official confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Assistant Secretary for Health for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Rachel Levine, M.D. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required.
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Why do trees need to nap?
For rest.
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What is your favorite South Carolina tree? (pick one)
A) Loblolly pine B) Magnolia
C) American Beech D) Live Oak
A B C D
Previous poll results:
What is your favorite yoga pose? (pick one)
- 0% said “Attempting to touch your toes (Uttanasana);”
- 50% said “Child’s pose (Balasana);”
- 33.3% said “The nap you take at the end (Shavasana);”
- 16.7% said “Happy baby pose (Ananda Balasana).”
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We want to hear from you! Share your content ideas, inspirational quotes, health tips, stories of you using HealthLinks health tips in your life and other responses evoked by the HealthLinks Newsletter.
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*Source: The Environmental Protection Agency.
**Source: The Nature of Americans.
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