Category: Healthy Parks Healthy People
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The restorative health benefits of protected areas
Today’s blog post comes from Catherine Reining, a graduate in the Master of Environment Studies program at Wilfrid Laurier University. We know spending time in nature offers a ton of health benefits like reduced stress, better sleep, and lower blood pressure. But what is the role of parks and protected areas in human health?
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30 ways to get outside this August
30 minutes in nature for 30 days straight. Are you up for the 30×30 Challenge? Ontario Parks is challenging you to spend the month of August out in nature. Being in nature has a wide range of benefits to our physical and mental health. Spending quality time in nature is an opportunity to connect with…
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Listening to nature's music
Today’s post comes from Kyra Santin, a Natural Heritage Education and Marketing Student from our Northwest Zone. George Santayana — poet, philosopher and naturalist — said, “The Earth has music for those who listen.” The earth holds a lot of beauty within it. If we open our eyes and ears, and listen to the world…
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The 30×30 Challenge is good for you
Today’s post comes from Sarah McMichael, Ontario Parks’ Healthy Parks Healthy People Coordinator. We all know that fresh air is good for us, right? Time in nature has been proven to lead to better sleep, improved productivity, lower stress, increased self-esteem, better mood, lower blood pressure, a stronger immune system, and a lower risk of…
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Health benefits of swimming
Whether you walk through the waves or jump off the dock, there’s no better way to cool off than going for a swim. This summer, as you escape the sweltering heat in one of Ontario’s lakes, think about these head-to-toe benefits your body is receiving from that dip:
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Healthy Parks Healthy People Day 2019: events
It’s back! Enjoy FREE day-use at all Ontario Parks on July 19, 2019 for Healthy Parks Healthy People Day! Spending time in nature is good for our physical and mental health. There are tons of great events occurring across the province to foster appreciation for nature and raise awareness about the benefits of time in…
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Pick green time over screen time
Screens are everywhere. Cell phones, Netflix, and video games can be distractions that keep us inside. It’s easy to spend hours chilling in front of your phone or TV. These are hours we could be spending being physically active in the outdoors. Excessive screen time has negative impacts on our health, and this is especially…
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Learning in the forest at MacGregor Point
When you think back to your childhood, what are some of your best memories? Likely a lot of them involved playing and exploring in the outdoors. Unfortunately, many children today don’t get this opportunity. Kids are often kept indoors by electronics and other distractions. They miss out on the developmental benefits of outdoor play. This…
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5 ways to empower children to be explorers
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,…