Berks County Medical Society Medical Record Summer 2020 - 46

M e d i c a l R ec o r d F e a t u r e

W

hat is Berks Nature Rx? Spending time in nature isn't
a cure for everything that ails us, but is sure does offer
some preventative and therapeutic benefits. And, it
is a medical fact that spending time outdoors, especially in green
spaces, is good for you.
Berks Nature Rx encourages people to commit to spending
at least 120 minutes outside each week. This is a doctorrecommended amount of time outdoors to reap the benefits of
nature, and is an achievable goal even during our busiest times.
Your 120 minutes could consist of visiting a park, walking your
dog, hiking a trail, riding a bike, or simply taking a break in
nature.
BerksNatureRx.com packages easily accessible information
on all of our local natural resources for promotion to our
community, and for use by doctors of all of our local health
systems. Doctors can prescribe time outdoors to their patients
that is focused on their wellbeing - whether it be mental or
physical reasons to address obesity, respiratory issues, diabetes,
cardiovascular, and more.
The COVID 19 pandemic has certainly increased use of local
trails, parks and open spaces. Thousands of local residents have
recognized the benefits of spending time outdoors during this
time of crisis, and we hope this connection (or re-connection) to
nature remains a priority to people for their lifetime.
In addition to numerous state and county public parks in
our community, Berks Nature's preserves remain open to the
public as places for outdoor recreation, but should be accessed
in accordance with guidance provided by the Pennsylvania
Department of Conservation and Natural Resources: http://
www.docs.dcnr.pa.gov/cs/groups/public/documents/document/
GuidanceOnSpendingTimeOutdoors.pdf

What does the stay-at-home order mean for
outdoor recreation?
* You can go outdoors to engage in outdoor activity, such as
walking, hiking, or running if you maintain social distancing.
* You can recreate in your neighborhood or a local park or
trail that is nearest to your home. Look for locations within
15 minutes of your home.
* Avoid crowded trails or parks. Find another local location or
go during less popular hours.
* You should not travel outside of your community to other
outdoor locations across the state, such as state parks, forests,
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private camps, leased campsites, etc.
* Be considerate. Wear a mask to protect others as
recommended by federal and state authorities.
The 27+ miles of trails on Berks Nature's less-crowded nature
preserves offer a perfect opportunity to engage in outdoor
activity while, at the same time, experiencing the beauty and
restorative nature of open space. You will find a link to all public
trails in our community at berksnaturerx.com.
In recent months, many environmental organizations have
begun to offer very creative and unique virtual experiences in
nature as well! Berks Nature offers weekly science lessons, virtual
how-to videos, and an exciting new Nature Rx Goose Chase
app for the public to enjoy! In addition, 22 environmental
education partners from the Alliance for Watershed Education of
the Delaware River are offering an abundance of online nature
programs that you can access at www.watershedalliance.org.
Public Health officials encourage those who are able to
continue enjoying nature during this challenging time. Time
spent in nature is associated with better health and well-being,
and exposure to nature makes us feel better emotionally by
reducing feelings of stress and fear. Fresh air, sunshine and
outdoor activity are as important now as ever. Use berksnaturerx.
com as a resource to enjoy all of the outdoor opportunities our
community has to offer!

For more information please visit
www.berksnaturerx.com, email
info@berksnature.org or call
610-372-4992
http://www.BerksNatureRx.com http://www.berksnaturerx.com http://www.docs.dcnr.pa.gov/cs/groups/public/documents/document/ http://www.watershedalliance.org http://www.berksnaturerx.com
Berks County Medical Society Medical Record Summer 2020

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Berks County Medical Society Medical Record Summer 2020
