1. (NU) - Sponsored News -
MostAmericans agree that spend-
ing time outdoors can enhance
their physical and mental health.
A recent online survey, conduct-
ed by Harris Poll on behalf of Hu-
mana among over 2,000 US
adults, reveals thatAmericans be-
lieve spending time outdoors can
reduce stress (75 percent), bene-
fit mental well-being (74 percent)
and lead to living a longer, health-
ier life (63 percent).
The benefits of spending time
in nature include elevated mood
and happiness, as well as im-
proved cardiovascular health, but
work and other obligations often
get in the way. In fact, according
to the Environmental Protection
Agency, Americans will spen an
average almost 93 percent of their
lives in an indoor space.
Humana’s partnership with the
National Park’s Centennial cele-
bration encourages everyone to en-
joy America’s national parks as a
resource to help stay healthy and
active, and increase their Nature
Engagement Levels, or N.E.L.s.
N.E.Ls are a way to assess how
much time you spend outside. A
fun National Geographic Quiz,
sponsored by Humana, shows par-
ticipants their level of engagement
with nature: Are you overflowing
with flowing streams or running
low on lowlands?
Try these ideas to raise
your N.E.L.s:
Start with a Sunrise: Watch-
ing the sunrise can be a beautiful,
moving, and healthy way to start
your day; benefits include bal-
anced circadian rhythms, im-
proved mood, and increased Vita-
min D levels.
Bring Nature to Work: En-
joy the health benefits of the
outdoors at work by placing a
plant on your desk or setting a
nature view as your desktop
background. Host outdoor meet-
ings, or “walk and talks,” around
your building, and boost col-
leagues’ moods and focus, too.
Engage Your Mind: Get your
mental exercise by visiting muse-
ums or monuments within the Na-
tional Park System. Sites such as
the Thomas Edison National His-
torical Park offer guided tours and
interactive experiences to entertain
and educate visitors.
Eat Outdoors: According
to the Bureau of Labor Statis-
tics, Americans spend an aver-
age of 8 hours and 13 minutes a
week preparing and eating food.
Move your meals outside to un-
plug and enjoy your food in a
new environment.
Try growing some of your own
food. Getting your hands in dirt
connects you to nature. If space is
tight, explore a community garden.
Take a Hike: Avid hikers re-
port high levels of happiness, ful-
fillment, and connection with the
world around them, and studies
have shown that the color green in-
creases motivation to engage in
rigorous activity. So, if being out-
side on a spring day inspires you
to hike, find a trail in a nearby state
or national park!
Find more ways to get healthy
at www.StartWithHealthy.com,
and visit www.FindYourPark.com
to locate parks near you.
The Health Perks of
Our National Parks
HEALTH
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