Speaking of benefits, we all know from experience that a walk in the sunshine is good for the soul. However, Stanford University recently published an article that found people who took a walk in a nature area versus a highly trafficked urban area, had decreased activity in regions of the brain that are associated with mental health disorders such as depression. Therefore, we have scientific evidence that supports something that we kind of knew all along. :)
For some, getting out may seem a bit daunting... and that's ok! Outlined are a few steps to make this more attainable.
- Start small - If you're not used to being outdoors, it's probably not the best idea to plan a trip to hike a 14er in Colorado. You could start by sitting out in your backyard for a few minutes everyday and wait for nature to inspire you to push for more. It could also help by making you more comfortable with getting in and out of your home.
- Do what you enjoy - It's always great to try new things but if it's something that you know you do not enjoy... it kind of defeats the purpose of getting outside. On the other hand, remember getting out may be difficult, scary, or even embarrassing at first so don't give up on something after one go of it.
- You don't have to do it alone - We all find that we are more confident when we have support while exploring a new activity. Experiencing nature is not an exception here. Find a friend or a few friends to tag along with you. They can keep you motivated and provide a helping hand if you need one.
- Set goals - Give yourself something to work towards. These goals could be to hike a favorite trail with your family or to go on a fishing trip. To stay extra motivated, keep your goals visible. Put up pictures of what you are working towards on your fridge or even on the bathroom mirror so they can't be "out of sight and out of mind".
- Stay flexible - Outdoor activities for people with disabilities requires planning and flexibility. You may find that the place you researched does not quite live up to the description. So don't get down on yourself if you have try again on another day.
Here are some ideas for outdoor activities that are accessible to people with various abilities levels
- Camping - Instead of having just one to two hours in nature, camping is a great way to get a more immersive experience. Yes, this one will require extensive planning but if this is something you are interested in doing more of, the planning will pay off. Just note that you may have to reserve your spot ahead to make sure you get a handicap spot
- Hiking - Hiking is becoming more and more accessible especially with the National Park Service putting initiatives in place to make all National Parks handicap accessible by 2020. To lean more about that, go to https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/upload/All_In_Accessibility_in_the_NPS_2015-2020_FINAL.pdf. If you are looking for other trails, do an online search prior to hiking to get a sense of what the trail will be like. The site AllTrails.com is an excellent resource for finding novice trails with detailed descriptions so you know what you are getting into. But if you are looking specifically for a handicap trail, TrailLink.com's 'Explore by Activity' feature will provide you a list of wheelchair accessible trails in your area. This feature can also be used to find other outdoor activities in your area such as bird-watching, geocaching, fishing, etc.
- Fishing - Fishing can be even more tricky for people with fine motor movement issues. However, there is a wide range of adaptive equipment that can make fishing easier. Check out this site to get an idea of the equipment that is available. http://www.adaptiveoutdoorsman.com/handicapfishing.html
Ideas from the group
- Star-Gazing - If you still want to get out but the hot summer sun really isn't your style, try star-gazing. It's amazing that a short drive in any direction can land you in a perfect star-gazing spot.
For those of you that may need adaptive equipment, check-out local outdoor sports stores to see what is available. But if you would like to try before you buy, there are some non-profit organizations such as Teton Adaptive Sports that offer outdoor experiences for people with all skill and accessibility levels. Check them out here: https://travelwyoming.com/article/teton-adaptive-sports-empowering-everyone-outside
References:
1. Stanford University. (2016, April 09). Stanford researchers find mental health prescription: Nature. Retrieved from https://news.stanford.edu/2015/06/30/hiking-mental-health-063015
