Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Fresh Air Fitness

“Quick, Mom. Run!” yells my 14-year-old son Tyler. “Jessie is coming!” he says. I run full speed ahead, glancing quickly over my shoulder to check how close my daughter, Jessica, is to catching me. I turn again to look straight ahead, but not quickly enough. Coming straight towards me is my husband, Jamie, and my dog Chelsea. The dog manages to get underfoot in seconds and sends me flying to the grass, Jamie landing on top of me. Lying on the ground, luckily unscathed except for my skinned knee, Jamie and I laugh hysterically. This was the most fun we’d had in a long time!
This was the scene Thanksgiving weekend when my sister and her two boys and my family played a rousing game of “Capture the Flag.” At first, the teams were comprised of my husband, Jamie, aka “Julie McCoy-Cruise Director”, and the five kids, my sister Lianne’s two boys and our own three kids. After watching the fun from the sidelines, Lianne and I decided to join in the game and weren’t we glad we did! What I originally dismissed as a kid’s game transformed into a magical moment with our families sharing time together, fresh air and fitness. It got the kids away from the screens and created special memories that we’ll cherish forever!
Today, Canadians are spending more time than ever indoors. In fact, in 2006 the average employed Canadian spent 7.6 hours at work and another 2.5 to 3 hours watching TV. Add to that an average of seven hours per night of sleep and our indoor time totals over 17 hours daily! Statistics also reveal that kids today spend 7 hours more on academics and 2 hours less on sports and outdoor activities per week than they did 20 years.
Every year thousands of office workers become ill from too little vitamin “G”, what experts call time spent in green spaces. Copy machines, furniture, cigarette smoke and even the air fresheners release dangerous toxins inside poorly ventilated buildings. Repeated exposure over time can lead to sick building syndrome -- a phenomenon responsible for nausea, headaches and rashes among workers.
We’ve heard the disarming statistics on childhood obesity and lament the increased hours devoted to screen time by today’s generation, and we are well aware that exercise is paramount to breaking the cycle. But why is fresh air also so important for our health? A steady supply of fresh air is very important, because fresh air provides us with a continual supply of oxygen which is needed for our brains and every single cell in our bodies. Fresh air helps to improve our heart rate, blood pressure and metabolic rate. It helps our immune system fight off disease more effectively and helps us sleep more soundly at night. Conversely, breathing stale air can cause dizziness, headaches, fatigue and exhaustion, frequent fevers, colds or lung diseases.
Paul Tukey, movie producer, bestselling author, public speaker, magazine publisher and America’s 2006 Gardening Communicator of the Year, has just launched a new book with co-author, Victoria Rowell, called “Lawn Games for Life”. The book, coupled with a national campaign including public talks, Lawn-A-Thon festivals, games demonstrations and outreach to schools and municipalities, aims to get children back outside. “Rooted in the desire to inspire people the world over to use — rather than just look at — their lawns, parks, playing fields and playgrounds, the book and media campaign will focus on old-fashioned fun,” says Tukey. Lawn Games for Life gives parents the tools they need to get outside and play with their children. It outlines the rules and history of classic games from Badminton to Croquet. It’s these kinds of activities that will help get the nation off the coach and onto the playing field, breathing fresh air and getting our bodies in motion.
This summer, I visited Hawaii with my husband for the first time. What struck me about the people and the culture of Hawaii is that everyone lives and breathes the outdoors. Our surfing instructor, “Bully”, had an exceptionally fit and healthy body. I was amazed that when I asked Bully how he stayed fit, he answered that the ocean was his gym. Surfing challenges your cardiovascular system, balance, core strength, upper and lower body strength, making it an amazing total body workout.  So, for Bully and many other Hawaiians, there’s no need to visit the gym.
Granted, Canada is not Hawaii, where the sun is always shining and the temperature is 30 degrees everyday!  Getting outside in Canada can be more of a chore, especially during the long winter months. However, instead of bracing ourselves for winter and using the cold as an excuse to hibernate and eat comfort food, we should see winter as an opportunity to get outdoors and make the most of the season! Skiing, skating, tobogganing and nature walks can translate into our “Snow Games for Life”. Try to make it your goal this winter to get fresh air, exercise and bond with your family. Go skiing for the day, strap on your skates or take the dog for a walk. It will soothe your nerves, leave you feeling more refreshed and relaxed, stimulate your appetite and help you digest your meal more effectively.
There’s a reason kids have a recess break at school. It allows them to get fresh air, stretch their legs and improve concentration. If you work in an office during the day, while on your break, you, too, should step outside and take some invigorating, deep breaths to help banish tired, sluggish feelings and help you feel more energized and focused. The fresh air will even alter your brain levels of serotonin which helps to improve your mood and promote a sense of happiness and well-being. Families can try taking a brisk walk outside before or after meals, because fresh air can stimulate your appetite and help your food to digest more effectively, and it’s a great way to spend time together.
There are many groups in North York and surrounding area that embrace fitness and the outdoors. GTA North Walking Group, based out of Richmond Hill, meets at various outdoor walking trails twice per month such as Mill Pond in Richmond Hill and Holland River Valley Trail in Aurora. You can also check out Yoga in The Park in Toronto and the GTA, which was established to create community and for its members to commune with nature. They meet regularly at Richmond Green in Richmond Hill. You can also look for Boot Camp classes offered outdoors in parks in your area.
In one five year Japanese study, researchers found that interaction with nature reduced depression, promoted healing, sparked creativity and even increased life expectancy by 15%! In another study in Sweden, participants who ran outdoors felt more restored than those who ran on treadmills or through city streets. Make an effort this winter to get outside. Get some fresh air and fitness! Your lungs will thank you!