Spend more time outdoors
Something happens naturally when we go outside. We become calmer. Stress and anxiety begin to diminish; you feel happier.
You don’t have to be a scientist to understand this feeling. However, scientists conducting research into mental and physical health have noted the benefits of outdoor activity and green spaces.
In a pandemic context, it can be tempting to stay indoors. Many people compensate for their reduced social interaction by spending more time in front of their screens. This only adds to a marked increase in screen time in recent years. Indeed, we spend more and more time in front of the wide variety of media available to us than we do outside.
However, a study carried out by the International Journal of Environmental Health Research has shown that spending as little as 20 minutes in a park can be enough to improve our well-being, even without exercise. It may not seem like much, but it’s easy to forget if you don’t plan ahead.
Some doctors have started to prescribe physical activity for their patients, encouraging them to get outdoors more, for example, for a walk or a bike ride. Internationally, the“parkscriptions” movement is growing as a way of promoting health through outdoor activity, notably by stimulating the senses of sight, touch, smell and hearing. It’s all part of an effort to combat the population’s growing sedentary lifestyle and the many health problems it can cause. Closer to home, the Grand Défi Pierre Lavoie has been promoting the benefits of physical activity on physical and mental health in recent years, in partnership with the Fédération des médecins omnipraticiens du Québec.
Discover how modular pumptracks bring communities together
Spending time outdoors is a simple and universal way to improve our quality of life. However, it can be difficult to find activities that make young and old want to spend time outdoors. Fortunately, many communities are doing just that by installing a Pumptrack.
- 1. Pumptracks are popular
In fact, pumptracks are a huge success all over the world, both for recreational and competitive use.
- 2. Pumptracks encourage community building
Pumptracks are accessible to everyone, regardless of age, socio-economic status or physical ability. They not only attract many visitors, but also encourage repeat visits from users, helping to build a community around your installations.
- 3. Pumptracks are safe
Specially designed to accommodate users of all abilities, our pumptracks are engineered for safety. They’re built so that you’re never far from the ground, limiting the height of a potential fall. They also feature rounded corners, shallow embankments, deployment zones and are stone-free, reducing the potential for injury and ensuring a smooth, safe experience.
Click here to find out more about our modular Pumptrack range.
This article was inspired by Parkitect’s“Fill Your Community’s ‘Parkscription’ with Pumptrack“.
Want to give it a try?
Visit one of our many facilities near you!
