Health Benefits of Nature (Slide Show)

Play Outside for Improved Attention and Health!

Health Care-toon by Ed Fischer

Evidence shows how childhood ADD/ADHD, obesity, type-2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and excess stress can be positively impacted through outdoor physical activity.  Green exercise, playing outdoors has significant effect on health and learning according to the National Environmental Education Foundation.   James R. Roberts, MD assembled this research presented in a slide format.

Stress Gets Under Our Skin

Mindbody Affected by Excess Stress

Newswise reports research from UCLA identifying the neurocognitive pathways that might be involved in inflammatory responses to acute social stress.

Lead author George Slavich noted, "frequent or chronic activation of the system may increase risk for a variety of disorders, including asthma, rheumatoid arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and even depression.

"Although the issue is complex, one solution is not to treat negative thoughts as facts." suggested Slavich. "If you think you're being socially rejected, ask yourself, what's the evidence? If there is no evidence, then revise your belief. If you were right, then make sure you're not catastrophizing or making the worse out of the situation."

Socialize to Prevent Dementia

Be socially active and not easily stressed to prevent dementia

Newswise cites a new study reported in the January 20, 2009 issue of Neurology showing that people who are socially active and not easily stressed may be less likely to develop dementia.