Connecting to nature is a powerful way to improve your health. With free admission to provincial parks to July 21, and Canada’s Parks Day on July 20, it’s the perfect time to share these tips from PaRx, Canada’s nature prescription program.

1.

Aim to spend at least 2 hours a week in nature, 20+ minutes at a time.

Research shows that people who spend at least 2 hours per week in nature report significantly better health and wellbeing. If you want to maximize the stress-busting effects of nature, one study showed that the most efficient drop in cortisol happens 

between the 20-to-30-minute mark. Hence our 20-minute rule.

Connecting to nature is a powerful way to improve your health. With free admission to provincial parks to July 21, and Canada’s Parks Day on July 20, it’s the perfect time to share these tips from PaRx, Canada’s nature prescription program. 

2.

Make easy green tweaks to your routine.

Book a lunchtime walk in the park with a coworker. Do your next cardio workout on a trail instead of at the gym. Choose an active commute to work or school along a greenway — and take a break along the way. Plan a weekend getaway around an outdoor experience. There are so many ways to add more nature to your life without adding extra hours and effort.

3.

Write nature into your schedule.

Schedule and prioritize green time like you would a doctor’s appointment or a dinner date. That means entering it in your day planner. Science tells us that when we write something down it’s more likely to happen.

4.

Phone a friend (or family member).

Sometimes we need a little extra help to establish a good habit. Getting your loved ones involved increases the chances that you’ll meet your nature goals!

5.

Respect nature — and yourself.

Dress for the weather. Stay on the trail and avoid risky detours. Always pack out what you pack in and don’t litter. Treating nature with respect keeps our parks safe and accessible for everyone. 

What counts as nature time?

Research shows that the health benefits of nature start to add up when you feel like you’ve had a meaningful nature experience, whether it’s sitting on a park bench or hiking up a mountain peak.

Credit: PaRx