#ygkChallenge: Spend time outdoors!
Welcome to Kingstonist’s weekly challenge, dare, resolution or whatever you prefer to call it. Each week we establish a new and ambitious community goal, encouraging our readers, followers, friends and families to step out of their comfort zones and do something great, and hopefully a little out of the ordinary. Consider this your official and personal invitation to join us in completing a small but meaningful achievement. By taking part in this community-wide initiative, we hope to make Kingston a slightly better place to live, work and play. And of course, we also hope that you will feel proud of your contribution and achievement.
This week’s challenge encourages you to:
Spend time outdoors!As summer fast approaches and the weather gets warmer, nature encourages us to get outside more. For many people, time spent outdoors is non-existent from December to March so this week’s challenge is adapted from the David Suzuki Foundations 30×30 Nature Challenge. I challenge you to spend at least 30 minutes outside each day! A study published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology showed that being outdoors gives people a greater sense of vitality. Those who feel more alive also have more energy, a greater sense of wellbeing, and are more resilient to physical illness. So instead of reaching for that afternoon caffeine boost, try going for a quick walk. Being in natural light improves mood and increases vitamin D levels, which in turn benefits the immune system, regulates calcium levels in bones, and can be protective against many diseases. Furthermore, studies have shown that children with ADHD have improved concentration and focus after being outdoors. Time to put on your walking shoes Kingston! Improve your zest for life by connecting with nature.
Sign up and commit to completing this week’s challenge by commenting below with an “I’m in“, “challenge accepted“, “en garde” or something along those lines. Further, help us spread the word via Twitter and Facebook by using the hashtag: #ygkchallenge. As you work towards completing this week’s task, please feel free to lend others a helping hand by providing tips on how you achieved success.
Thanks to JAG for today’s photo, sourced from our ever-growing Flickr pool.
