"I love Parkscriptions™ by Recreation Northwest - Get your dose of nature"

2022-10-25 15:43:44

Skip to main content Skip to footerParksProvidersBecome a ProviderProvider ResourcesProgramsEventsAboutSponsorsPartnersFundersBlogDonateMediaContact Us Partnering with doctors and other health care providers to prescribe time outdoors. Parkscriptions connects patients with positive outdoor experiences for healthier lifestyles and improved mental and physical health.Get your dose of nature and boost your immunity.Why Parkscriptions?There is a growing consensus that nature has many health benefits, from increased physical activity to mental, emotional, and community health benefits.Nature exposure has demonstrated benefits for general wellbeing as well as for specific symptoms relating to anxiety, depression and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Being outdoors supports a wide range of physical health issues, including increasing physical activity in children, increasing vitamin D in people of all ages, and decreasing blood sugar for diabetics.Public parks and green open spaces have social, economic, and environmental benefits for our surrounding communities.Exposure to nature improves our positive outlook and facilitates positively-toned emotional reactions, which have a restorative effect.A wealth of studies has demonstrated that nature experience is associated with psychological well-being such as a sense of meaning and purpose in life, improved manageability of life tasks, and a decrease in mental distress, such as negative affect.Nature experience has been shown to positively affect various aspects of cognitive function such as memory and attention, impulse inhibition, children’s school performance, as well as imagination and creativity.Nature contributes to physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension and the production of stress hormones.Studies on recovery from illness and injury have found that exposure to nature, even an image of a nature scape, resulted in patients able to tolerate pain better, have fewer negative effects and spend less time in hospitals.Time spent in nature connects us to each other and the larger world. Studies show that when participants viewed nature scenes, the parts of the brain associated with empathy and love lit up, when they viewed urban scenes, the parts of the brain associated with fear and anxiety were activated.Lack of time in the natural world, largely due to hours spent in front of the TV or computer screens, have been associated with depression, loss of empathy, and lack of altruism.Safe Start, Stay HealthyHow to safely get outside and stay healthyIf you are sick, stay home.Wear a face cover, wash your hands often, and continue to stay 6 ft apart from those that do not live in your household.When you are outside take a few deep breaths use your five senses to be present and mindful of what is around you.Find a sit spot in your backyard, front yard, porch, or balcony to observe nature using your five senses. What do you hear, see, smell, taste, or feel?Continue to explore parks in your county and limit travel to avoid spreading the virus across county lines.Continue to keep your distance from others that do not live in your household when on a run.Continue to enjoy mountain biking close to home. Ride on trails that are below your expertise level, to minimize injury and keep you out of the hospital.When passing others on a trail, be friendly, say hello, turn your back to them, move to allow for a 6-foot distance between parties, and continue on.Always remember to leave no trace, including poop bags, pack out all of your garbage.Ideas of what to do outsideGardenLay in the grassStargazeWalk in your neighborhoodMountain Bike – respecting physical distance from other bikers and biking below your expertise levelFly a kiteKick/throw a ballPlay tag in an open field or park – remembering physical distance with people that do not live in your householdWatch the Sunset/Sunrise at a nearby BeachGo for a day hike- respecting physical distance from other hikersSome ways that might help guide you in focusing on each of the senses:See: Notice the colors of the flowers blooming, shapes of the clouds change.Hear: Notice the different sounds like birds chirping or rustling leaves on the tree.Touch: Notice the different textures of bark, leaf varieties, sand in between your fingers.Smell: Notice the fragrances of spring, fresh-cut grass or flowersTaste: Notice the flavors of a mint leaf from an herb gardenThe latest Monthly Dose of Parkscriptions InspirationAugust Dose of Parkscriptions InspirationWe have been quiet on our Dose of Parkscriptions Inspirations during the last few months. Like many of you, we have been determining our best approach on how to provide the best services and programs to our community that aligns with recreating responsibly during this pandemic.  We have some exciting plans and opportunities in the... Read More →Dr. Kimberly Bauer: Staying Healthy While Phased Safe Start Reopens Whatcom CountyDr. Kimberly Bauer: Staying Healthy While Phased Safe Start Reopens Whatcom County Staying healthy has become more important than ever in light of the impacts of the coronavirus, COVID-19. But how do we protect our health while also honoring Safe Start, Stay Healthy restrictions? To find out, we spoke with naturopathic physician and midwife, Dr.... Read More →Black Lives MatterTo our Parkscriptions Community, Our hearts are heavy as we mourn the loss of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and the many other black people who have been murdered by police officers. The history of systemic racism in our country, and specifically in our black communities, is unacceptable and we stand with Black Lives... Read More →Use ParkFinder to find a park near youFill your Parkscription by visiting ParkFinder to search 186 parks in Whatcom County.Filter your results by location and/or amenities. Find the park that is just right for your mobility, fitness level and personal needs.If they are not walking/biking distance and you have a back yard. Give yourself a Parkscription and spend time in your back/front yard or gardenDuring Phase 2 continue to explore parks and trails that are not frequented oftenParkscriptions Day 2020In collaboration with National Parks Rx Day, we celebrated our annual Parkscriptions Day with the video below to share how to get outside and benefit from nature. Parkscriptions would not be possible without the generous contributions from our supports      Chuckanut Health Foundation | First Federal  | Craeg Foundation | Norcliffe Foundationand Individuals Donors like you!        Your individual donations continue to keep the Parkscriptions Public Health Campaign accessible to everyone, and there is still so much more that we can do! With your support, we could implement programming that addresses health disparities and creates a healthy community for us all. Please consider making a donation today.FooterContact UsInfo@Parkscriptions.orgMailing Address:Recreation NorthwestPO Box 2771Bellingham, WA 98227Stay ConnectedSign up to stay connected via our email newsletter.Parkscriptions" by Recreation Northwest is a 501(c)3 charity. All donations are tax deductible to the full extent of the law. Our non-profit federal tax-exempt number is 46-1774882.site by highwaters