Sky Lakes Medical Center | Live Smart | Fall 2019

6 LIVE smart | Fall 2019 CHECK OUT the “Out and About” section of SkyLakes.org/Resources to find maps for popular hiking trails. Ready, set—safe hiking! 1 DRESS IN LAYERS so you can adjust to the weather as necessary. And bring a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. 2 WEAR STURDY BOOTS or good walking shoes that are broken in and comfortable. 3 LET A FAMILY MEMBER OR A FRIEND KNOW WHERE YOU’RE GOING. Check in with them when you return. Good for your body and soul For exercise, there may be nothing like the great outdoors Is the gym your usual go-to-place for autumn-weather exercise? You may want to consider 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 front of the gym’s TV or on any of several hiking trails around Klamath Falls? You could also try biking the Spence Mountain Trail or the OC&E Trail or playing with your kids at Kit Carson Park or Moore Park. Save money. The outdoors belongs to all of us, and there are plenty of opportunities for free recreation in the Klamath Basin. Potentially burn more calories. When you’re jogging or biking outdoors, a strong headwind can help you burn more calories. That’s because you have to work harder to overcome the wind’s resistance. Balancing while hiking on trails with irregular surfaces also helps build your core. 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, ride the bike path or the OC&E Trail, or walk one lap and jog the next at a nearby school track. Or treat yourself to a walk on the Geo Trail on the hillside near Sky Lakes and Oregon Tech. Check out the exercise equipment on the walking trail at Steen Sports Park or get in some steps on the walking path along Foothills Boulevard. 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 Whether you’re a nature lover or a fitness buff, hiking has a lot to offer. It gets your muscles moving in new and different ways than an urban walk. And it gets you up close and personal with Mother Nature. But no matter why you take a hike, safety should be your top priority. Here are five tips to remember: 4 BRING WATER AND SOME SNACKS , even if you’re planning a fairly short hike. 5 NEVER HIKE AFTER DARK. Sources: American Council on Exercise; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; U.S. Forest Service