Being healthy isn’t limited to good blood pressure and eating well. It’s an overall well-being that requires attention to many aspects of life.
An easy way to stay healthy is making sure to take some time to get outside. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, taking time to get outside can help with mental health, reduce stress and aid in the production of vitamin D.
Getting outside can also lead people to take part in physical activity that they might otherwise be unable to do, according to the CDC.
For those who already live in New Braunfels, they have access to multiple parks with opportunities for running, biking, walking, hiking and other physical activities. According to the National Parks Service, a 30 minute visit to a park can bring a variety of health benefits, including lowered cholesterol, lower blood pressure, reduced inflammation and an improved immune system. That’s not counting the mental health benefits, including reduced stress and attention fatigue, according to the NPS.
But according to the CDC, getting outside doesn’t mean an 8-hour drive to Big Bend. It can be as simple as taking a dog for a walk, participating in a yoga class, swimming at a pool or walking around the neighborhood.
For those concerned about contracting COVID-19, the CDC says outdoor activities are some of the safest things to do, so long as they don’t involve close contact with unvaccinated individuals in areas with high numbers of cases.
For information on New Braunfels area parks and trails, visit www.nbtexas.org/parks or comaltrails.org.