When the weather finally gets around to being warm enough for me to go outside without seven layers of clothes on, I embrace it.
With my arms flung open wide and my legs light, I run and hop about as if I’m a student just let out for summer break. Weeee!
Eventually the spring weather will decide to stay around here, and I fully intend on driving with my windows down, taking my son to the park and going for a lot of walks with my family.
There’s something about being outside in the fresh, spring air that’s amazing after a long winter of being cooped up.
Fresh air is an unbelievable mood booster. There’s a reason for the advice of getting some fresh air during a tense encounter or a stressful time of the day. Also, whenever you’re in an enclosed area, like an office, for a long period of time, the air quality decreases. You’re breathing in “stale” air.
It’s beneficial for you to get outside a few times a day. When it’s nice, I take my breaks away from my desk outside with a walk around the office building, and several times a week my family and I will take an evening walk.
Fresh air revives you, affects your brain in a positive way, aids in fueling your cells, and improves your immune system and other systems in your body.
What are you waiting for. Well, other than a day that’s over 50 degrees and dry? Get outside!
In our community we’re lucky enough to have several places to go to spend time outside.
Boyce Park is the first place I think of in our area when I want to get out. Basketball courts, tennis courts, soccer fields, trails and several play areas are sprinkled throughout the 1,096-acre park. Larry Mills Park also boasts an elaborate play area and athletic fields.
Oakmont’s Riverside Park offers a beautiful view of the river while you exercise on its athletic fields, walk the track or run with your kids on the playground.
Sometimes you have to get creative. Living in Plum, I’m not really in a position to walk to a park and since I’m not in a neighborhood, I can’t just walk out of my house and begin my activities. In a pinch, I just walk around my yard or drive to the nearest neighborhood for a walk.
My friend, Pete Wilton of Oakmont, takes his family for a walk along the Oakmont Boulevard Project. I’ve also seen them taking advantage of the many sidewalks of Oakmont — those lucky people — and enjoying an evening walk or bike ride.
Sit on your porch or in your yard, go to a park, walk around the track at Plum High School — anything you can to add a breath of fresh air in your day.
