Seasons The Greening of Maplewood
Spring 2015 Getting Outdoors
By Oakley Biesanz, Naturalist “Go Outside and Play!” is a phrase heard less and less in our modern society. Plugging kids into electronics is easy to do, and as a parent I am not immune to this temptation. But here’s a fact that made me sit up and pay attention: the Kaiser Family Foundation reported that kids ages 8-18 years old are connected to some form of electronic media for eight to twelve hours a day. In contrast, kids spend only an average of five minutes per day outdoors in unstructured play. It turns out that time spent outdoors has great health benefits for kids and adults alike. Getting outside has been scientifically proven to have cognitive, physical, and social benefits. Many studies have shown that physical activity can increase life span and lead to decreases in obesity, heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes. Walking, hiking, and playing outdoors are great exercise! That slice of pizza you had for lunch will require about 80 minutes of walking, or 35 minutes of jogging, to burn off the calories.
Getting outdoors can also help improve mental health. Statistics from the Anxiety and Depression Association of America indicate 18% of the US population is affected by anxiety disorders, and depression affects 6.7% of Americans each year. Dozens of research studies show being outside in nature can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. For example, a study from the University of Essex found that 71% of people had a reduction in depression after going on an outdoor walk versus 45% of people who walked indoors. You don’t have to trek to the wilderness to reap these rewards. Significant health benefits are to be had in natural settings in the back yard, on local trails, and exploring nearby parks. There are bountiful resources in Maplewood and the East Metro area for getting outdoors. From canoeing Silver Lake, to picnicking at Applewood Park, the future is exciting for enjoying the outdoors in Maplewood. The City’s new Park Master Plan sets the stage for reinvesting in our parks over the next 20 years. The plan adds trails, improves existing
parks and preserves, and enhances gathering areas for people to get together and enjoy the outdoors. Health and wellness, the environment, recreational programming, and arts and culture are cornerstones of the plan as well. To view the Park Master Plan visit the City’s website at www.ci.maplewood. mn.us/parkplan. The Outdoor Family Expo on Saturday, April 18, 2015, will give you lots of resources for getting outdoors this spring and summer and a chance to learn some new skills (see page 3). Whether you are a beginner or an experienced nature-nut, you will find lots of fun for the whole family. Going outdoors is fun! E. E. Cummings said it very well “The world is mud-licious and puddle-wonderful.”
Sustainable
Maplewood
Scientifically Proven Benefits of Getting Outdoors
Physical Health: Improved BMP, immune system, healing
Mental Health: Improved vitality, mood, sleep, creativity, decreased stress
Cognitive Function: Increased attentionspan, memory, critical thinking
Social Interaction: Improved cooperation, generosity