Health Happenings is a biweekly column published in Alamogordo Daily News as a way to provide the latest in health and wellness information, services and events. Articles for this column are submitted by Health Council partners, but do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Otero County Community Health Council.
By Kevin Schneider, Superintendent, White Sands National Monument
With the New Year upon us, many of us start the year with resolutions to improve ourselves and our lives. And of course, year after year, the most popular New Year’s resolution for many people is to lose weight and get fit.
Getting outside and enjoying outdoor recreational activities is a perfect way to lose weight, stay fit, relieve stress, and actually generate more energy. Just think back to the last time you went out for a hike in the woods, a bike ride along a back road, or a paddle on a lake. Like many people, you probably felt many of your worries ebb away for that time, you came home in a better mood, and you felt better physically, mentally, and spiritually.
Perhaps conservationist John Muir said it best, “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul.” Scientific studies have shown that getting into the outdoors inspires us, refreshes us, and relieves stress.
Outdoor recreation is great for the family, too. Spending time with your kids in the outdoors helps keep everyone healthy, relieves anxiety and hypertension, and builds confidence and self esteem. By taking your kids outdoors, you’ll be laying a positive foundation about the importance of exercise and the outdoors for the rest of their lives.
Unfortunately, however, our children today aren’t spending time as much time in the outdoors as their parents did. Why not? A study in 2005 found that the average American child spends more than six hours per day in front of electronic screens. Amazingly, that is more than a third of their waking hours. Some experts have called this “Nature Deficit Disorder.” As a result, obesity rates for adolescents in America have tripled compared to two decades ago.
Luckily, those of us in Alamogordo are in a great position to enjoy outdoor recreation and reap its health benefits. Here are some top active outdoor recreation ideas right in our own backyards:
• Hike the 4-½ mile Alkali Flat trail at White Sands National Monument. If that sounds like more than you’re ready for, try the 1-mile Dune Life Nature Trail.
• Bring your kids out to White Sands for a picnic and let them sled down the dunes. They’ll get plenty of exercise running back up the dunes over and over again. Better yet, go sledding with them!
• Hike or jog the Osha Trail on the Lincoln National Forest, just off of Highway 82 below Cloudcroft. The trailhead is less than a 30-minute drive from Alamogordo. At 9,000 feet of elevation, this hike is sure to get your heart pumping.
• From your house in Alamogordo, bike the Old El Paso Trail to Oliver Lee State Park. You’ll pedal along the fringe of the Sacramento Mountains, and you won’t have to worry about traffic.
• If we get enough snow this winter, go for a cross country ski or snowshoe walk on the Lincoln National Forest near Cloudcroft. If you don’t have the gear, you can rent it in Cloudcroft.
Active outdoor recreation can play a crucial role in leading a happy, healthy lifestyle. With our close proximity to White Sands National Monument and the Lincoln National Forest, we live in a perfect setting for enjoying America’s great outdoors. Make your resolution in 2010 to get outside and be healthy!