By Casey Smith, naturalist
Preservation Parks hosted its first ever Outdoor Exploration Expo on October 13. Vendor booths allowed organizations to showcase their products and activities. Places like Aspen Ski and Board, REI, Clintonville Outfitters, and LL Bean had clothing and gear for everything from camping to kayaking. The expo also highlighted different activities to get you outside and active. Ace Archers let participants try shooting a bow and arrow. Archery has been shown to increase focus, strength, coordination, and confidence. With the assistance of Fleet Feet, a 5K trail run provided runners and walkers a chance to traverse the trails of Camp Lazarus Boy Scout Camp. While we all know the benefits of getting in a few miles every day, doing so on a trail or at a local park increases its benefits. Columbus Fishing Expo facilitated several fishing events. Fishing isn’t a high-impact activity, but it can provide mental stimulation and offer relaxation for some. Central Ohio Orienteers provided an orienteering demonstration, while our naturalists placed temporary geocaches on the Camp Lazarus property. Both activities are a lower impact way to be active, and still enjoy the outdoors.
Outdoor activities get us off our couches, away from the glow of electronics, and into nature. With people – especially children – spending more and more time indoors, any excuse to get outdoors is a good one. In 2005, author Richard Louv introduced the term Nature Deficit Disorder, describing the human costs of alienation from nature. Occurrences of ADD, ADHD, and obesity have increased in recent years, and doctors are now prescribing time in nature instead of medications. Various studies have shown that time outside is good for you. It reduces the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, stress, and high blood pressure. While Pokemon Go may have been a disturbance to some, for others it was a perfect blend of technology and outdoor exploration. Some people even lost weight and gained a healthier lifestyle while trying to “catch em’ all.”
So, go take a hike, find that geocache, or throw a boomerang in your own yard. You don’t need to be a runner or mountain biker to reap the benefits of an active outdoor lifestyle. There’s an activity and a group out there for everyone. Find your thing. Find your people. No matter how you do it, spending as much time as you can active in nature can lead to a happy, healthier life.
