Central Peninsula Hospital | Pulse | Summer 2021 | 50th Anniversary Edition

PULSE is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of Central Peninsula Hospital, 250 Hospital Place, Soldotna, AK 99669, phone 907-714-4404 , website cpgh.org . CEO: Rick Davis Marketing Manager: Camille Sorensen Information in PULSE comes from a wide range of medical experts. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please call 907-714-4600 or email marketing@cpgh.org . 2021 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Central Peninsula Hospital and its clinics (collectively “CPH”) comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Translation and other services are available to you, free of charge by calling this number: 907-714-4404 . Is the gym your usual go-to place for exercise? Then you may need a change of scenery, and one with lots of it: the great outdoors. If you need a nudge to move your exercise outside, there’s plenty of incentive. Research suggests that outdoor exercise delivers health benefits that can’t be duplicated indoors. And a key one is a bigger boost in positive emotions. One study, for example, found that outdoor workouts can lift your mood more and help you feel more energetic and revitalized than indoor ones. Another found that as few as five minutes of outdoor exercise can improve self-esteem, especially if you’re near greenery or water. Moving your workouts outdoors also lets you: Connect with nature. That’s one of the best perks of outdoor exercise. Think of it this way: Where are you likely to enjoy exercise more, on a treadmill in a crowded gym or on a hiking trail in a nearby park? Save money. You don’t need a gym membership. The outdoors belongs to all of us. Potentially burn more calories. When you’re jogging or biking outdoors, a strong headwind can help you burn more calories. You have to work harder to overcome the wind’s resistance. Get out and enjoy! So rather than staying cooped up inside, take a brisk walk either alone to clear your mind or with a buddy to socialize. Work out your muscles on a local hill, bike on a neighbor- hood street, or walk one lap and jog the next at a nearby school track. Or treat yourself to a walk in the woods, in a meadow or along a stream at a park. See if a park close by offers a yoga class or has exercise equipment. Some parks do now. You can turn exercise into family time too. Play on a playground with your child (or grandchild), or take a nature hike together. After all, everybody deserves to have fun outdoors. Source: American Council on Exercise Good for your body and soul For exercise, there may be nothing like the great outdoors PULSE Summer 2021 3