A Trip to the Zoo is Healthy
By Virginia Laird
With the final ring of the school bell quickly approaching, it is time to begin planning your family’s summer shenanigans. Of the variety of day trips from which to choose, one favorite continues to be a trip to the zoo. Not only is this choice of pleasure exciting, it can also prove to be healthy. Health and wellness experts offer the following benefits from spending a day at the zoo:
- Walking through the zoo is exercise
- A day away from work can reduce stress
- Spending time outside offers many benefits
Walking Through the Zoo is Exercise
Research suggests that walking can be one of the best exercises for the body. As a low stress and low-impact exercise, it can be healthy for all ages and all levels of fitness. Although it can be quite boring to set out on a trail and walk for miles at a time trying to complete the distance needed to make healthy improvements, tackling the long walk while taking in the beauty of mother nature can make the number of miles fly by. It is suggested that the average person can walk as many as five miles while visiting the zoo.
A Day Away from Work Can Reduce Stress
For those who find work to be overwhelming and quite stressful, there are plenty of things to try which can help relieve some of the woes of life at work. Health and wellness experts suggest when stress begins to take control of your life it can be wise to take a day off. Spending the day away from work can help clear the mind and provide a boost of mental clarity. A great place to get away from work is at the zoo. Research increasingly advises that taking good care of your mental health is equally as vital as taking care of the health of the body.
Spending Time Outside Offers Many Benefits
There is much talk, among those in the health and wellness industry, about the benefits of spending time outside. A great deal of research suggests that fresh air can provide a boost to the immune system. Another great benefit of getting outside is soaking up some Vitamin D. Spending time outdoors can also allow you to unplug and turn off electronics, even if only for a few minutes. The list of advantages to spending time outdoors can be extensive. As your family enjoys the zoo, you are sure to add these benefits to your life.
If you are looking to add a little dose of healthy living to your summer, without alarming the children, planning a trip to the zoo can be just the ticket.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Richmond, Va.