The Dehydration Dilemma: Why Drinking More Water Might Not Be Enough

In a world where chronic dehydration is a daily concern, many people believe they are doing the right thing by drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated. However, the reality is that increasing your water intake doesn't always translate to better hydration. Several factors contribute to this misconception, making it crucial to understand the science behind proper hydration.

Hydration Isn't Just About Quantity

While it's essential to consume an adequate amount of water, it's equally important to ensure that your body absorbs and utilizes that water effectively. Drinking more water alone won't necessarily achieve this goal. Here's why:

Dehydrating Habits: Throughout the day, we engage in various activities that can actually dehydrate us. Consuming excessive coffee, caffeinated beverages, refined salt products, and high-sugar, poor-quality foods can counteract our efforts to stay hydrated. These substances work against our body's natural hydration processes.

Quality Matters: Not all water is created equal. The water we consume should contain essential vitamins and minerals to aid absorption. Unfortunately, many bottled waters have been stripped of these vital nutrients during the purification process. Without these minerals, our bodies struggle to effectively absorb the water we drink.

The Role of Salt: Salt is often seen as a dehydrating agent, but it plays a crucial role in the hydration process. Natural, unprocessed salt, like Himalayan or Celtic salt, contains trace minerals that enhance hydration. Relying solely on chemically treated and refined salt can be counterproductive.

Taking Action for Optimal Hydration

To achieve optimal hydration, it's important to shift your focus from the quantity of water you drink to the quality and absorption of that water. Here are steps to consider:

1. Consistency: Start by establishing a consistent baseline for your water intake. Whether it's two cups a day or more, begin with a manageable amount.

2. Upgrade Your Salt: Switch to high-quality salt sources like Himalayan or Celtic

salt. These salts are rich in essential trace minerals and lack impurities found in refined salts. Himalayan Salt or Celtic Salt

3. Cut Processed Foods: Minimize your consumption of prepared or refined foods, which often contain low-quality salt that contributes to dehydration.

4. Explore Trace Minerals:  Consider adding trace mineral products to your diet. These are available at health food stores and can provide the necessary electrolytes without the unnecessary additives found in commercial sports drinks. Click here for trace minerals

5. Water Quality:  Evaluate the source of your water. If necessary, invest in a water filtration system to ensure the quality of your tap water. Seek out natural, high-quality water sources when possible.

Balancing Act

As you adjust your hydration routine, keep in mind that there might be a brief period of adjustment as your body balances its hydration levels. You may experience a temporary feeling of dehydration, but this signifies that your tissues are beginning to absorb and utilize water more effectively.

True hydration is about more than just drinking water; it's about nourishing your body with the right minerals and maintaining a delicate balance. Once you experience the satisfaction and well-being that come with proper hydration, you'll understand the importance of this often-overlooked aspect of health. Remember, health starts at the cellular level, and optimal hydration is a crucial first step toward overall well-being.

The Chopped Salad Solution

If you're like me, you enjoy good vegetables or a nice chopped salad but the effort ti make it daily seems to take a lot.  I've discovered a hack that helps me eat healthy every day: making a chopped salad and letting it marinate in a flavourful dressing. I then incorporate it into different meals or add different ingredients to it each time I eat it and it's as if I am eating something new each time. But it takes only minutes to make it a brand-new meal or snack. Try this out for yourself and you can have a healthy option at your fingertips each day.

The best thing about a chopped salad is that you can customize it with all your favourite veggies. My go-to options include cucumbers, celery, bell peppers, carrots, and onions. These veggies not only add a variety of textures, flavours, and colours to the salad, but they're also packed with essential vitamins and minerals.

To make your chopped salad even more satisfying, it's important to add protein. I add the protein right before I eat it that way you can switch up the protein options every day to keep things interesting. Some of my favourite protein options include grilled chicken, hard-boiled eggs, feta cheese, chickpeas, steak, and lentils. By incorporating protein, you can transform your chopped salad into a filling and nutritious meal.

Now, let's talk about the marinating process. After you've chopped the vegetables for your base recipe it's time to let them marinate in a flavourful dressing. One of my favourite dressings is a mixture of vinegar, oil, and spices. This combination adds a tangy and aromatic element to the salad, elevating its taste. Feel free to experiment with different herbs and spices to find your perfect blend. To learn more about why you want to get quality fats in your diet for health and weightloss listen here: https://youtu.be/OOG8-oYb8K4

Once your chopped salad has marinated, you can use it in a multitude of ways throughout the week. It's incredibly versatile! You can enjoy it as a standalone meal, wrap it in a tortilla for a tasty lunch, or use it as a topping for grilled proteins. You can even sprinkle some nutritional yeast on top for a cheesy and nutty flavour without the dairy. Nutritional yeast is also a great source of protein and vitamin B12, making it an excellent option for vegans or those looking to reduce their dairy intake.

The key to a delicious and healthy chopped salad is to get creative with your ingredients. Don't be afraid to try new flavours and textures. By making a chopped salad once a week and letting it marinate, you'll always have a nutritious and satisfying option ready to enjoy. Grab your chopping board, gather your favourite veggies and let the flavours mingle. See my suggestions below. 

Oil Recommendations Here: 

Avocado Oil

Olive Oil

Coconut Oil

Happy chopping!

A Bio-Hack To Live Younger Longer

Our body has an incredible ability to heal itself. When we get injured or sick, our body's natural healing mechanisms kick in to repair and restore our tissues and organs. This process is similar to evolution in that it involves natural selection and adaptation over time.

At the cellular level, our body's healing mechanisms involve a complex interplay of different cells and molecules. For example, when we get a cut, the body responds by sending white blood cells to the area to fight off infection and begin the healing process. As the wound begins to heal, new cells and tissues are formed to replace the damaged ones.

This healing process is similar to natural selection in that it involves a process of trial and error. The body tries different approaches to healing, and over time, it selects the most effective strategies for healing a particular type of injury or illness. This is why some injuries heal more quickly than others, and why some people are more prone to certain types of illnesses than others.

Another way that the body mimics evolution is through its ability to adapt to changing environments. For example, when we exercise regularly, our body adapts by building stronger muscles and increasing cardiovascular fitness. This adaptation is similar to the way that animals evolve over time to adapt to changing environmental conditions.

Overall, the body's natural healing mechanisms are a testament to the power of evolution and natural selection. By understanding how the body heals itself, we can better support our body's natural healing processes and improve our overall health and well-being.

As we age, our body's natural ability to heal itself tends to decrease. This is because our cells, tissues, and organs undergo a variety of changes over time, including the accumulation of damage and mutations in our DNA.

One of the main reasons for this decline is a decrease in cellular function and health. As our cells age, they become less efficient at repairing damage and fighting off infections, which can lead to chronic inflammation and tissue damage. This, in turn, can increase the risk of developing age-related diseases. One of the main reasons for this is a decrease in redox signalling molecules in our body.

Redox molecules, also known as redox signaling molecules, are a type of molecule that plays a crucial role in regulating various cellular processes in the body. Redox molecules are a crucial part of the body's natural defense mechanisms against oxidative stress and cellular damage. By regulating the balance of oxidants and antioxidants and signalling to cells to perform various functions, redox molecules play a critical role in maintaining optimal health and well-being.

Boosting redox molecules in our body can have a wide range of benefits, from improving immune function and reducing inflammation to slowing down the aging process and enhancing energy production. Thanks to the incredible breakthrough technology you can supplement your redox molecules in your body and live younger longer. I call it my fountain of youth. I know you will too!

Don't delay: Find Out More Now

Ditch the Protein Powder and Pack a Great Punch 

Smoothies are a popular and convenient way to consume nutrients and fuel our bodies. One of the common ingredients in smoothies is protein powder, which is a convenient way to add protein to our diet. However, it is getting harder and harder to find good quality ingredients in powder, without hidden sugars, unwanted additives and low value ingredients.

I believe the best way is to look at the basic form and natural version of the supplement we want to take in. If I was to pick two of the most powerful that provide a similar nutritional boost, it would be spirulina and chlorella.

Spirulina and chlorella are types of blue-green algae that are commonly found in supplement form. These two superfoods are packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds that can provide a wide range of health benefits.

Here are some of the key benefits of using spirulina and chlorella in smoothies instead of protein powders:

1. Spirulina and Chlorella are Rich in Nutrients

Spirulina and chlorella are nutrient powerhouses. They contain a wide range of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K, as well as iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium. They are also rich in protein, with spirulina containing around 60% protein by weight and chlorella containing around 50% protein by weight.

2. Spirulina and Chlorella are Antioxidant-Rich

Spirulina and chlorella are both rich in antioxidants, which help to protect our cells from damage caused by free radicals. These free radicals can contribute to the development of chronic diseases, including cancer, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease.

3. Spirulina and Chlorella are Anti-Inflammatory

Both spirulina and chlorella have been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties. Chronic inflammation is linked to many health problems, including arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease. Adding spirulina and chlorella to your smoothies can help to reduce inflammation and promote overall health.

4. Spirulina and Chlorella May Support Immune Function

Spirulina and chlorella have both been shown to support immune function. They contain compounds that can boost the production of white blood cells, which play a key role in fighting off infections and diseases.

5. Spirulina and Chlorella May Help to Detoxify the Body

Both spirulina and chlorella have been shown to have detoxifying effects on the body. They contain compounds that can bind to heavy metals and other toxins, helping to remove them from the body.

Spirulina and chlorella are both excellent alternatives to protein powders for smoothies. They are packed with nutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory compounds that can provide a wide range of health benefits.

You can get both in one supplement here: Spirulina & Chlorella On Sale Now

                  

                ACV Healthy Drink

 

High in many vitamins and minerals this drink serves to improve overall health

and help functions of the body that assist with weight loss.

  

Foundational Ingredients:

-       Apple Cider Vinegar (with mother) 

-       Ginger or Tumeric (raw, minced or ground) 

-       Citrus Squeeze (1/4 lemon, lime or orange) 

-       Cinnamon (balance blood sugar & insulin)

-       Hot Water

 

Highly Recommended: 

-       Pepper (helps absorb turmeric) 

-       Raw Honey or Natural Stevia (taste and antibiotic properties) 

-       Cardamom (inflammation, heart, lungs, liver, digestion & blood sugar/weight loss) 

 

Beneficial Additions: 

-       Cayenne, Chili or Paprika (anti-inflammatory, digestion & fat burner) 

-       Real Vanilla (taste, anti-inflammatory & antioxidants) 

-       Coconut Oil (immunity, organ health, fat burning) 

 

Tea Base Ideas: 

-       Make with Green Tea or Matcha Powder (antioxidants & energy) in the morning 

-       Chamomile (relaxing) and/or Lemon Balm in the evening 

-       Lemon Balm (add dried lemon/orange/grapefruit rinds)

-       Dandelion Tea (cleansing & liver function)

 

Dried Herbals: 

Rosehip, Mint, Sage, Parsley, Oregano, Cilantro, Thyme, Nettle, Fennel 

 

Other Suggestions: 

-       Use a wooden utensil to add Honey 

-       Can boil the Ginger and Turmeric with Garlic (immunity & metabolism) 

-       Can let the raw Ginger and Turmeric sit in the ACV while waiting for the water to boil.  

-       Add Trace Minerals/Natural Electrolytes to improve hydration

 

These ingredients will work differently for everyone so start slowly and apply based on results, 

Our Children Need A Breath of Fresh Air

Generally, if we look hard enough, we can find a little bit of truth in everything.  There are so many controversies going on right now, and my purpose here is not to add to the mix.  But I also can’t stay silent on this one minor detail and that has to do with the harm our children are facing by being forced to wear masks not only while exercising but also outside at recess.  

I don’t care to deal with the controversies around COVID-19. I don’t care to talk about the test cycles and rate of false positives or talk about vaccines. I don’t want to review the total death rates in North America, but maybe you should.  And as much as I don’t want to discuss mask-wearing, there is one factor that must be discussed which is, children, being forced to wear masks while outdoors. I just recently found out that our province has made it mandatory for the kids to wear masks while outdoors at recess.

 

Now you may think I am just another person frustrated with the system, but hear me out for just a minute, please.  I completed a Master’s Degree and studied the health benefits of nature and the outdoors.  I worked for over two decades in government, managing parks, and also managed a small business where I promoted health and fitness in the outdoors. It has been my life interest and a major focus of study with regards to the health benefits of being outdoors and the positive effect that fresh air has on both our physical and mental state.  So, all that I ask is that you give my perspective some serious thought and decide for yourself.  

 

I have worked with runners who improved their ease and distance by improving their breathing and running outdoors.  I have helped those with lung disease and asthma, improve their fitness because of the concentrated oxygen experienced while working out in fresh air.  I have seen others minimize their Seasonal Affective Disorder by doing so in the winter.  Everyone has felt the clarity of mind while being outdoors.  It can make us feel better physically, it can strengthen our focus, and often decrease our anxiety. The positives recognized are in large part is due to the benefit of pure, concentrated oxygen that is received in a few minutes outdoors. 

 

Fresh air also promotes the creation of white blood cells. Every time you inhale, your lungs fill with oxygen that thereafter gets transported in your blood, through organs and systems such as the lymphatic system, kidneys, heart, and colon. It not only can detoxify our body, even more important, that concentrated oxygen flowing through our bodies can fight infection within us.  

 

My best example is one I experienced personally while dealing with a chronic illness that impacted the body’s oxygen saturation level. One of the rehabilitation modalities was Oxygen-Induced Exercise, which included 15-30 seconds of exercise followed by induced oxygen, monitored by an oxygen saturation meter. The effort is to recover or stabilize the oxygen saturation by increasing the oxygen inhalation from the machine.  This was difficult to replicate at home until it was done outside.  I was always able to stabilize oxygen saturation so that it did not drop so low requiring mechanical recovery.   It was a real-world example of how fresh air increases our oxygen saturation just by being in it.  

 

Julia L. Marcus, an epidemiologist and assistant professor at Harvard Medical Schools stated “I think going outside is important for health. We know that being outdoors is a lower risk for coronavirus transmission than being indoors. And since, aerosols (the airborne, droplet form of transmissions) are of great concern with the virus it was good to see that an aerosol scientist at Virginia Tech, Linsey Marr was recorded as saying “I think outdoors is so much better than indoors in almost all cases.” 

In a study of 25,000 authors Mike Weed, a professor, and researcher at Canterbury Christ Church University told AFP "There were virtually no cases that we could identify that took place in sort of everyday life outdoors," and a group of scientists and engineers, including professors from American, British and German universities indicated that "outdoors is far safer than indoors, for the same activity and distance."

 

At Lawrence Berkeley National Labs, scientists have been studying indoor air quality in schools for decades. Using surveys that ask students if they have any respiratory symptoms and correlating the responses with how much fresh air classrooms get, they’ve found that, after controlling for factors like socioeconomic status, more fresh air is linked to fewer symptoms, says Rengie Chan, a research scientist at LBL. 

Several studies are showing that the transmission of a respiratory infection such as SARS-CoV-2 is an indoor phenomenon.  According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air is two to five times more polluted than outdoor air. In general, the greater the number of people in an indoor environment, the greater the need for ventilation with outdoor air. But what’s happening is that after being in less ventilated higher-risk indoor areas, children are not able to realize the full benefits of the outdoor air because it's inhaled through a restrictive potentially contaminated mask

 

One of the strongest proponents of ventilation was Florence Nightingale, who trained nurses during the Crimean War. Increasing the flow of air reduced the spread of disease among soldiers, she found. “Keep the air he breathes as pure as the external air,” she famously wrote. Medical professionals of the time noted that sunshine and fresh air seemed to have salutary effects.

 

Other research found that students in better-ventilated spaces had better scores. “There’s pretty strong evidence that improved ventilation will get you improved student performance,” Chan says.The ability to better dissipate carbon dioxide by opening windows and doors was confirmed in a study explained in the same article when they placed dry ice, which produces carbon dioxide, in classrooms to mimic a room full of people. With a cheap carbon dioxide sensor, they could see how quickly the CO₂dissipated. 

 

Every time we exhale we eliminate part of the body’s waste in the form of carbon dioxide. By breathing deeply we take in more oxygen that cleanses the body, and by exhaling deeply we eliminate more waste both actions have an overall detox effect on the body.  It's not just about the recycling of carbon dioxide inside a building or a mask, it’s also about mold, bacteria, and toxins that can contribute to deteriorating the quality of air inside a school or home. We feel the difference when we open a window or step outside, we can feel the difference in fresh air very easily and we feel the difference it makes in our body. 

 

All of this to say, this is how our body rids itself of toxic substances but also how it fights off ailments, that could wear the immune system down and make them more susceptible to viruses. That is what each human is trying to do with every breath.   

 

We can’t be sure at any given moment what a child’s body is fighting or trying to expel but consider this: Those few moments that a child is outside for recess are the perfect opportunity for the child to not only expel any contaminant it may be fighting and give its body a break. But even more importantly it is the best opportunity they have to infuse themselves with as pure oxygen as they can access daily.  Is concentrated oxygen not one of the key tools we use in medicine to help a person fight illness and survive? Can we at least agree that here in the winter a child's time outdoors may be more limited so these rare opportunities are important to their ability to thrive?  Can we consider that the time in a mask indoors could easily be rectified by getting some good, clear breaths of concentrated oxygen for a few minutes a day?  Can we consider there may be some real value to that for the children, to help their physical health but even more important their mental health, while also improving anxiety, focus, clarity, sense of calm and ease, cause that’s what good oxygen can do?  

 

Fresh air has so many health-fighting properties that there is just not enough time to list them all here.  Some of the key properties that are vital to the health and success of our children are:       -Increased energy

-Better concentration 

-Enhanced immunity

-Freeing the lungs of toxins (a very vulnerable organ during covid) 

-Enhanced digestion which is also known to impact our immunity 

-Improved circulation to help deal with blood pressure and heart rate (all important factors during challenging times)

- General stress and anxiety will benefit from improved breathing and oxygen concentration. 

 

What I think we are not considering for our children is during the winter months, time is limited during the day for them to be out realizing these benefits.  It's dark when they wake up to get ready for school and it is dark shortly after they get home.  Without even considering the temperature and weather conditions as factors, we should at least be able to agree that time is limited for them to be outside other than during school hours, just because of minimized daylight alone.  Their time out at recess is their only consistent opportunity to get fresh air, benefit from the health of concentrated oxygen, and recover from the challenges of new rules and new times.  Yet, we have eliminated that one chance of good health for these children. We have blocked it completely from their access. 

 

We should at least be able to agree that the negative ions found in the fresh air are known to improve one’s health.  This seems to be a concept that is easily studied and accepted.  But we also need to consider that it is difficult for those in colder climates to absorb these ions.  We are bundled up in clothing from head to toe, so our faces, specifically our nose and mouth are our best way to inhale the benefits of the fresh air.  It is our only way some days.  So, let’s consider how are our children getting this benefit if these sources are blocked? 

 

Studies in recent decades have demonstrated that terpenes (think of them as essential oils) exert immune-boosting benefits as well as, anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting various proinflammatory, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, skin inflammation as well as neural health.  But as with all fresh air benefits they are best inhaled or absorbed, but how? 

The opportunity to access all the health benefits of the fresh air in a very low-risk environment is not only lost by wearing a mask outdoors but also lost, is any chance to reverse the risk of infection while contracted inside.  At the very least we need for children to get their oxygen to carbon dioxide ratio re-balanced from the amount of time they have worn the mask elsewhere.   We want to eliminate the effects of too much CO2 exposure through mask-wearing  If you don’t believe me consider this Germany-wide mask-wearing study that showed out of 25, 930 children, 68% reported irritability, headache, difficulty concentrating, less happiness, malaise, impaired learning, fatigue in children. This can all be attributed to low concentrations of oxygen or high CO2 but also, ironically, these symptoms are similar to or worse than contracting COVID for these youth 

 

I understand the risk of spreading the illness between children is the key fear, while children are playing in close contact. But there are a few things that need to be considered along with this fear.  The one that we have already covered extensively is the drastic decrease in risk by being outside vs. inside.  But also studies show the virus dies quickly outside especially under sunlight, as one condition.   Let’s also factor in the World Health Organization’s claims that it is prolonged exposure in stationary situations that increase the risk of contraction.  That is the amazing thing about ventilation and the outdoors, it makes stationary impossible.  The aerosols emitted never stay stagnant, the circulating air that exists even with little wind, keeps the aerosols moving so for that reason alone two people standing still, technically are not at risk because prolonged exposure is impossible, the air is always moving, at least a little bit.  That key risk factor doesn’t exist for children outside to the same level even if they happen to get too close for a second.  

We need oxygen to survive, we can all agree on that. We need good oxygen to thrive.  And this time of year, during these more challenging times I am asking the question - are we sure we are giving our children what they need?  I should mention here, I have no school-aged children.  I am not trying to be controversial, I am just asking health professionals to reconsider this guideline with more consideration. I asked a few children if they are finding anything different about being in school this time and the most common answers were related to fatigue (including a normally very hyperactive child) and focussing issues (from academically accomplished students).  Our children need fresh air to succeed.  I hope the health implications of poor oxygen and lack of fresh air while at school all day, are being considered so that our children have the ability to succeed and not suffer.  I hope we are not sacrificing our most basic need for survival and freedom; breathing fresh air and forsaking our children. 

A Plea For Public Green Spaces During a Pandemic

When the first wave of the pandemic hit, everyone was faced with quick-decision making based on little knowledge.   I respect that little was known at the time and possibly the best decisions were made based on the information available.  One of those decisions being the closure of many public spaces, including parks, trails and green spaces. 

Now that time has passed, many places have opened up and people everywhere are grateful for the opportunity to get out in a safe manner and enjoy nature.  This time is our chance to review the initial decision and reflect on what can be done if we are faced with a similar challenge again. 

I bring this up because I have been in park management for over two decades. Uniquely, I also did a Masters degree studying the natural health benefits of spending time in nature.  And as a side interest, I became a certified trainer and did all my coaching in parks and natural areas.  Most of my life has been about making parks safe for people and people seeing the wellness benefits of being in parks.  

I don't think it takes a degree to know that we feel better in nature. Instinctively, I believe many of us know this. That was evident right after the parks were closed and people flocked to hidden trails and country roads to walk anywhere and anyway they could as long as they could be outside. So I thought maybe a more comprehensive look at the value might allow a different perspective to be considered if the situation arises again.  

There are hundreds and hundreds of studies that suggest that time spent in green spaces is good for physical, mental and social well-being. It is one of the easiest ways we can bring some wellness into our lives, and some of the data from these studies suggest that many of the repercussions of isolation can be mitigated to some level with time spend in nature. 

STRESS MANAGEMENT: An interesting study on happiness and well-being of students showed that these positive feeling were more directly correlated with exposure to natural environments than to the level of hardships being experienced in their lives.  In other words, many tended to manage stress and challenges better when consistently exposed to natural environments.  

Another study published in Frontiers of Psychology, revealed that stress biomarkers decreased after exposure to nature.  In this same study the following conclusion was made: "The results provide a validated starting point for healthcare practitioners prescribing a nature pill to those in their care."

A very encouraging finding was in the study that determined after a ninety minute walk in nature participants experienced a significant decreases in obsessive and negative thoughts and experienced a reduction in neural activity in an area of the brain linked to mental illness. 

A further study determined that all of these stress reducing benefits were noted when participants were exposed to forest environments: lower concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse rate, lower blood pressure, greater parasympathetic nerve activity, and lower sympathetic nerve activity. 

WELL-BEING: Many people report simply feeling better and more energetic when outside.  I saw this in every program I led.  Although exercise tends to make people feel good after, doing so in nature had an ability to re-energize while providing a great sense of calm that is not achieved many other ways. It is the ideal energy for our bodies.  There are just so many reasons why nature gives an overall sense of well-being but basically it stimulated our whole neuroendocrine system, which influences most everything in our bodies such as: regulation, balance, metabolism, energy utilization and the list goes on. 

Participants in my programs reported improvements with many challenges such as anxiety, seasonal affective disorder, energy, sleep and depression.  Most participants exercised regularly, so it seems that the combination of the two together made a greater impact and saw the greatest benefit.  The following study suggests something similar and the value of help with pandemic related emotions, showing that nature exposure reduced a feeling of isolation and induces a sense of calm and improved mood. 

MENTAL CLARITY : A 20% increase was recognized in mental clarity and cognitive testing after a short break walking in nature.  The same improvements did not happen when the same break happened while walking down a busy street. Numerous studies show a decrease in ADHD symptoms and advance cognitive development when playing in nature. Further benefits include an increase in confidence, self-esteem and independence. 

One study also showed that nature immersion improved creative reasoning and that creative reasoning not only helps us with creative and artistic endeavours but it also helps us problem solve, work through fears and reason through facts and challenges. 

As stated in an article in The Atlantic, How Nature Resets our Minds and Bodies,  "Nature restores mental functioning in the same way that food and water restore bodies."

RESPIRATION: Breathing outdoors lets in more concentrated oxygen to your muscles and brain helping us to function better. We know that one of the most effective ways to decrease stress is to breath more effectively allowing high concentrations of oxygen into our cells, telling our body all is safe.  

The benefits of breathing in fresh air goes well beyond oxygen. The air is also rich in phytonidices (chemicals released by plants) that have antibacterial and anti fungal properties to aid in fighting infection.  It also help you detoxify all organs in your body. Another chemical terpenes is also released by plants and has a anti-inflammatory, anti-tumorigenic, and neuroprotective activities.  

We know that recycled indoor air runs the risk of recycling pollutants and that risk is reduced in natural areas.  Studies have demonstrated how as air pollution is reduced and children have improved lung function and fewer hospitalizations for respiratory issues and asthma. 

IMMUNITY BOOST : There are numerous reasons for improved immunity due to exposure to trees, forests, parks and natural environments, such as the many different beneficial bacteria that aid your immune system processes.  

The mircobiata found in natural environments are more beneficial for human health than those found in built environments. It has even been shown to reduce anxiety and depression in some studies. These bacteria are crucial to boosting immunity, which aids in reducing inflammation, sensitivities and resilience later in life. 

Free electrons transferred from the ground into our bodies without hindrance is a powerful antioxidant.  Anioxidants are not only supportive of ridding our body of harmful toxins, they also play a role in boosting our immunity, improve adrenal support, sleep quality, decrease hormonal symptoms and can help protect you from harmful EMF's. 

SOCIAL BENEFITS: Every anecdotal stories I am told of social experiments in nature, show a benefit to all who participate.  One psychology lab is finding undoubtedly the more connected people feel to nature, the happier they are. 

I think it evident that the belief is the virus risk is less in the outdoors compared to indoors. This is evident by comments from many health officials and especially by the protocols that are being put in place i.e. numbers are less restrictive outdoors than indoors.  Now more than ever, these natural green spaces are our safest zone for any level of social interactions. It's important for us to provide not only the best but safest opportunity for everyone to experience that.  

VITAMIN D: We are always finding out more and more about the importance of vitamin D. We do know it helps with general health i.e. fighting illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and osteoporosis as well as obesity, inflammation and immunity. Since sunlight is a natural source of vitamin D, it is only logical that spending time outdoors responsibly would increase your vitamin D in take.  

One of the key reasons it may be believed that the risk of contraction is less is in the outdoors could be due to the fact that Vitamin D is also a natural antiseptic; killing molds, bacteria and even viruses. 

Although controversial some recent studies have shown huge benefit from Vitamin D to fight virus' including COVID-19.  A significant crude relationship between average vitamin D levels and the number COVID-19 cases, and particularly COVID-19 mortality rates were found in one study.  Regardless of the where you sit on the discussion it may be considered that vitamin D sensibly sourced in nature could be one of the most basic, easiest and least expensive strategy you can use to ward off the virus.  

The following conclusion was made in the same study, "Much more attention should be paid to the importance of vitamin D status for the development and course of the [COVID-19] disease. Particularly, in the methods used to control the pandemic (lockdown), the skin's natural vitamin D synthesis is reduced when people have few opportunities to be exposed to the sun."

Recovery from any illness is proving to benefit from exposure to nature, for example, stroke survivors in the greater Boston area had a 20% reduction in risk if they lived near a high concentration of green space. This is easy to believe because even exposure to natural light and natural views has proven to improve healing time from different illnesses.  Helen Stokes-Lampard from the Royal College of GPs advises that getting outside can have a “really positive impact” on health. 

OUR CHILDREN: It has been proven that when outside children play longer and move their body more than they would when inside. These activities are the basic behaviours required to avoid health issues such as high cholesterol, obesity, blood pressure as well as many others. 

A very recent study provides evidence of immediate collateral consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak, demonstrating an adverse impact on the movement and play behaviours of Canadian children and youth. These findings can guide efforts to preserve and promote child health during the COVID-19 outbreak and crisis recovery period, and to inform strategies to mitigate potential harm during future pandemics. 

Tim Gill, a consultant on the matter states that "regular contact with nature is part of a balanced diet of childhood experiences. If children do not have those experiences then they are not going to thrive as if they did." 

At the World Health Organization International Healthy Cities Conference, which included national health services and public health organization a consensus was made that "Government should recognize our green space as key to the delivery of a wise range of sustainable public health." 

The basic point is that public green spaces are crucial to health of mind, body and soul.  With so much uncertainty, the one thing we can be certain of is that the majority of us find comfort, well-being and peace in nature and the outdoors.  So, my plea to all levels of Government, Public Health and all Park Managers is,  can we try our best to make these outdoor spaces the one safe refuge we have during trying times?

I am not suggesting every single park has to be open, but I also don't think every single park has to be closed. An operational and management analysis will show opportunity for certain parks, portions of parks or policies that could be implemented to make certain areas available within the guidelines of health and safety related to this virus or any challenge.  The nice thing about natural areas is each one provides a different management opportunity, allowing for unique protocols and the ability to enhance existing resources so everyone can enjoy them and be safe.  

At the end of the day, the simple fact is we are nature.  It is the place we belong the most.  We have a better chance of being in balance, finding peace and resilience there.  Nature is a simple blessing that can be awarded to everyone during the planets most challenging times.  Let's do what we can, get these policies in place and provide the most basic resource we have for the population's well-being so these valuable resources are not lost or unavailable during their most valuable time.