Image of fall foliage and a walkway at a Kent park
Tannery Park. Image via Kent Parks and Recreation Department

Ohio Outdoors: Get naturally healthy in 2025

Just over half of us make New Year’s resolutions. The most common ones revolve around physical and mental wellbeing. Topics like exercise, fitness, and losing weight weigh heavy on our minds. Just as important are issues such as socializing, de-stressing, finding life’s balance, inner peace and others that fall under the mantle of mental health.

If you’ve made a personal health related resolution or goal for 2025, there is a simple and free way to accomplish what you’ve set out to do. I’m talking about nature.

Research shows that spending even short amounts of time in nature can have positive effects on both mental and physical health. The American Psychological Association proports that spending time in nature can improve mood, and attention while at the same time lowering stress levels. They even claim reduced risk of psychiatric disorders and increased empathy and cooperation. Studies show that exposure to green spaces like parks can increase cognitive development and promote self-control.

Hiking, walking, jogging, cross country skiing, sledding, ice skating, snowshoeing, polar bear plunges, and hockey are great ways to get some exercise while spending time outdoors this winter. Don’t forget about taking in deep breaths of fresh winter air which promotes better sleep.

So how much time do we need to spend in nature to start seeing benefits? One study found that two hours of nature exposure per week led to significant upticks in both mental and physical health. The best part is that the breakdown of those two hours didn’t matter. In other words, the benefits are the same whether the two hours were spent in one block of time or several shorter blocks of time.

The good news for Portage County residents is that you have easy access to many free, fine parks and greenspaces. Portage County Park District (https://www.portagecounty-.oh.gov/portage-park-district) offers sledding hills, cross country skiing and hiking trails including the Portage Hike and Bike Trail which is more than seven miles long connecting Kent, Ravenna, and beyond. It is flat, paved with asphalt, ADA accessible, and open year-round.

There are also city owned parks throughout Portage County that have paved walking paths as well as bark and dirt trails and some even offer workout stations. Many of them have connecting paths to longer hike and bike trails. Portage County residents are also in close proximity to Cuyahoga Valley National Park, and other counties’ park and trail systems, as well as The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail which is a part of the 326-mile-long Ohio to Erie trail linking Lake Erie to the Ohio River. And don’t forget about Ohio’s wonderful state parks, forests, and wildlife areas (https://ohiodnr.gov).

As you can see, opportunities to reach your health and fitness goals for 2025 are plentiful. So, get out into nature for a better you.

Some tips for enjoying all the benefits that nature can offer this winter:

  • Be sure to check the weather forecast.
  • Dress appropriately. Light thin layers that can be removed as you warm up are best.
  • When temperatures dip, keep sensitive skin like fingers and ears covered.
  • Wear good shoes or boots to keep your feet supported and dry.
  • Beware of snow and ice. Slow down. Invest in walking cleats that slip on over shoes or boots (think Yaktrax).
  • If there is snow and the sun is out, wear polarized sunglasses to help you see while preventing snow blindness.
  • Drink plenty of liquids. It’s easy to get dehydrated in the winter so be sure to drink enough.
  • Prevent chapped lips and hands by using lip balm and lotions that contain sunblock.
  • When possible, go with a friend, not only for safety reasons, but also for accountability.
  • Be sure your cell phone is fully charged. Cold air causes batteries to drain more quickly.

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