Local Community Advertising
The cold, winter weather can make staying indoors with a blanket and a Netflix series seem not only appealing but it can quickly become a daily routine.
But what if the activity above became your after-party, following some much-needed movement and fresh air?
The quick answer is, your body would thank you.
Spending time walking in the forest has been proven to lower blood pressure and lower the amounts of the stress hormone, cortisol.
According to a 2008 study published in the Journal of Biological Regulators & Homeostatic Agents, time spent in the forest rather than in the city produced more physical signs of relaxation.
If you're looking for a way to get a little exercise outdoors, the Regional District of the Central Okanagan (RDCO) just rolled out its winter-spring edition of Your Guide to Regional Parks 2018.
The guide provides information on free programs like Wild Walks, which runs monthly on Saturday mornings and Wednesday afternoons. Park enthusiasts are joined by an interpreter who offers information on the flora and fauna of the area.
"Thanks to the volunteers from the Community Recreational Initiatives Society (CRIS), who provide barrier-free access to our parks, these outings are available for everyone," said Bruce Smith, communications officer for RDCO.
A popular spring program known as Tracks Walking Club operates twice a week in Mission Creek Regional Park.
The Gellatly Nut Farm Regional Park is also hosting a weekly walk every Tuesday morning.
However, not all the programs are free and some require participants to register beforehand.
Be sure to contact staff at 250-469-6140 or email at eeco@cord.bc.ca.
There are plenty of ways to exercise and several benefits from getting just 15 minutes of fresh air each day.
And hey, Netflix will be waiting for you when you get home.
We want to hear from you!
What's your favourite way to beat the winter blues?
Let us know what types of clubs or events are happening in your area by emailing us at news@kelownanow.com.
Local Community Advertising