“A beautiful day in the neighbourhood,” quotes a fellow patio dweller, and he speaks the truth. Spring is so much more than cleaning out your closets and dusting off your patio furniture. It’s filled with signs of new life and of good things to come. Neighbours come together, communities wake up, and people get back to the great outdoors of this diverse city.
If you have yet to set your spring goals, the David Suzuki Foundation (DSF) has got you covered. Their 30 x 30 Nature Challenge is asking Canadians to spend 30 minutes in nature each day for 30 days, starting on May 1. (It starts on my birthday? Challenge accepted!)
According to DSF, the average Canadian spends more than 90% of their time indoors, and more than six hours per day in front of screens (sitting is the new smoking!) This disconnect between us and nature can have negative impacts, both on our mental and physical well-being. But the good news is that there is a simple cure: get outside! Amidst the daily hustle, it is easier than you think to break up your day and spend some quality time with Mother Nature. Whether you choose to bike to work, hit the trails instead of the gym, take a tree tour through our urban forest, or eat your lunch outside, you can easily incorporate nature into your daily routine.
The beauty of it all is that spending time outside is actually good for you. In a recent blog post, David Suzuki confirms that nature truly is the best medicine. He cites many studies that show significant health gains for those in contact with nature. “Nature is food for the soul,” agrees Richard Ryan, professor of psychology at the University of Rochester. When juggling an array of tasks becomes stressful, it’s a relief to know that time spent outside actually reduces stress, anxiety, and depression, while boosting energy. In fact, memory performance and attention spans improve 20% after spending an hour interacting with nature. Outdoor activities can also lower the risk of heart attack, diabetes, and colon cancer. With all these health benefits, what’s keeping you inside?
Looking for some fun activities and don’t mind getting your hands dirty? Order one of our Native Garden Kits! We’ll provide you with the native species you can plant to attract songbirds and butterflies to your yard and enhance your outdoor experience. Or join us for our Out of the Ashes Tree Tour on May 11 to hear the lessons learned from the impact of the emerald ash borer.
I don’t know about you, but I’m signing up for the 30x30 challenge! And on behalf of LEAF, we’re glad to see our friends at DSF are promoting a healthy lifestyle.
How will you spend your 30?