HEALTHY IS WELLNESS

Healthy is Wellness Health Coach: Becky Ketterling, Certified Personal Trainer

WELLNESS

Nourished BY NATURE

Many of us from Big Sky Country grew up on family farms and ranches or in small towns. As kids, we didn’t know the term

Becky Ketterling ‘green space’ nor Certified Personal Trainer, what it meant Health Coach Healthy Is Wellness, Inc. – we just knew our moms were always shoo-ing us out the door saying, “Go outside and play!” And that’s what we did. We walked on grass in our bare feet; we put our fingers in the dirt; we climbed trees, and we ran through sprinklers. We didn’t need scientific studies to tell us that nature was good for us; we felt it!

We are instinctively drawn to the world outside our windows and deep down, we know why… Nature simply makes us feel better. Even so, it’s easy to lose touch with this simple fact. Consider that Americans spend about 87% of their time indoors and another 6% in vehicles. That adds up to an alarming 93% of our time inside and only 7% spent outside! So maybe we need a reminder of why the humannature connection is so important. From the mountain of research available on the topic, here are just a handful of its benefits on our health and wellbeing.

• Physical benefits: improved heart function, reduced blood pressure, more balanced hormones, better respiratory function and improved cognitive abilities.

• Psychological benefits: better regulation of emotions and increased stress management, resilience and positive thinking.

• Spiritual benefits: a deeper sense of self, a heightened feeling of gratitude, and greater insight into the positive and negatives of life.

• Social benefits: stronger bonds and attachments with others, a greater sense of empathy, and lessened conflict and aggression.

The Positive effects of Nature on Your

Mental Well-being” PositivePsychology.com 2/19/2021

Some Fun New Vocabulary: Blue Space, Nature Prescriptions & Eco-Therapy?

Let’s start with Blue Space. Chances are you can guess what it is… Water! Oceans, lakes, waterfalls, rivers, streams - even small water fountains count! Studies confirm spaces with the element of water enhance mental health and decrease feelings of depression and anxiety. There is even some indication that blue spaces may be more restorative than green ones. If you’ve ever heard ocean waves crashing on a shore or seen trees reflected on a mountain lake, you know the soothing

power of water.

Here’s another one - Nature Prescriptions. Some doctors are prescribing time in nature to increase a patient’s overall health. (2 hours per week seems to be the minimum to see benefits.) Vermont – the healthiest state – is one of 34 states that have an official ‘Park Prescription Program’ as a way to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent chronic disease, without swallowing a pill or spending a dollar!

How about Ecotherapy? This approach to healing is centered on the strong connection between people and the environment around them, as well as to the earth itself. The use of nature as therapy has been successful in treating addiction, helping troubled children, and assisting Veterans with PTSD – just to name a few. You may have heard of horse therapy, but how about surf therapy? (It’s a real thing!)

A Way of Life Under the Big Sky

As Montanans, the great outdoors are right at our fingertips and appreciating the awe-inspiring sights of our state is not just common sense, it’s a part of who we are. We know that nature makes us feel better, yet we can easily get out of the habit and find ourselves spending most of our time inside. So take a moment to think of outdoor activities you enjoy, then make a plan to add them to your routine. Whether you choose camping at Woodbine, enjoying a picnic on the Rims, strolling through your neighborhood or sipping iced tea on your patio, better health is just outside your door.

Keeping residents safe is our way of life.

Heidi is our Quality Coordinator. For over 17 years she has provided expert care and services to Westpark Village residents.

2351 Solomon Avenue, Billings, MT 59102 | 406-652-4886 | westparksenior.com