Sunday, March 26, 2017
Central Texas Outdoors
3
A change for the better
BY CALEB McCAIG
cmccaig@empiretribune.com
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
The Bosque River Trail in Stephenville offers an opportunity for people to not only be active, but do so in the outdoors.
Inactivity and refusal of getting outdoors threatens the well-being of many, but a change is not farfetched. In the days of cell phones and social media getting outside and enjoying the outdoors has become something that people are doing less and less often. For many, especially children, getting outside is vital for the human body and the development of younger individuals. According to the Texas Parks and Wildlife, research shows that children and families who play outdoors or thrust themselves into nature are healthier, happier and smarter overall. In addition, it’s also been proven that looking at a garden, trees or just going on a walk can make someone just happier in general. “It is very important for individuals to get outside, especially in a generation that is so sedentary,” says Tarleton State University Assistant Director of Fitness and Wellness Rachel Cinquepalmi. “Many studies show that exercising outdoors bring feelings of increased energy levels and positive activity which then decreases feelings of anxiety, tension or sadness.” Being physically inactive as a whole is also considered Change, 9