By John Moore, Columnist
Springtime is here and with it the urge to enjoy the great outdoors is at a heightened state given the hibernator effect of the winter months. Fresh air and exercise are a great combo of benefits when one experiences the outdoors. Whether it is on land or water the great spring awakening is here and it’s for all to enjoy. It is also a great deal as its free if we do not count our travel and equipment needed to participate in these roaming adventures. The only real investment is our time and that is a small price to pay given the exhilarating feeling that will be derived from all this bodily activity.
There is nothing better than nature to promote good health and wellbeing a recent study has concluded. Perhaps the Nova Scotia government should consider adding this as a major component as it looks to reform and improve our health care system. The rewards received could be revenue enhancing in the form of greater prevention from illness and therefore fewer trips to the hospital. Better to have our outdoor areas full of people walking ,hiking, running ,swimming and paddling breathing in all that fresh air rather than ER’s . Some Doctors are now prescribing exercise to their patients especially of the outdoor kind to promote a heathier persona and therefore a better overall lifestyle. More Doctors will likely be following suit. It follows in line healthier populations decrease the need for health care services therefore allowing health care resources to be freed up to help those who really need them and in a timely manner. In my mind the great outdoors offers the best solution to this challenging conundrum. With increased outdoor activity and especially coupled with a healthy well balanced diet will act hand in hand as twin propellants towards better health.
We are fortunate to have many wonderful places close to our community to help serve up large helpings of great outdoors enjoyment. I recently encountered two such places, Prospect and Terence Bay. Both sites offer stunning scenery and great walkabouts. The Prospect site is a bit like a mini Peggy’s Cove except the rocks are flatter and the distance for hiking greater. It is truly majestic and its very accessible . The Terence Bay site which is next door is not as wide open but offers an amazing historic presence having been the site of the SS Atlantic ship disaster in the 1800’s . There is a beautifully done memorial park in honor of the victims where many are buried. On the trail there lie the remains of a local cemetery which head stones date back to the 1800’s as well. This adds to the overall intrigue of this special gem of nature. It is remarkably interesting to read the accounts of the lives lived a . I never realized how many Slaunwhites are from Terence Bay. I would highly recommend both these places as a good start to enjoy the great outdoors.
On April 20th HRM introduced the Lakewatch program. Seventy-six lakes in our region have been identified where testing for PH levels will take place twice a year. This is over and above any testing that is needed for regular aquatic activities. In this way it is hoped any harmful effects caused to the environment will be mitigated and any damage will be limited or halted all together. Kudos to HRM for initiating this important project . Volunteers are needed so if you have any interest, please visit the HRM website under Lakewatch program where you will be able to sign up. Happy May everyone!
Photo by Aniket Bhattacharya on Unsplash
