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Back to nature: What you need to know before you go
Visit Here Before Heading Out
Back to nature: What you need to know before you go
Most of us camp to bask in nature. Communing with trees, mountains, lakes andopen sky unmarked by power lines helps restore a sense of psychologicalbalance. We return to civilization well-rested with renewed energy and spiritto tackle what comes our way. It turns out all this feel-good stuff isn’t inour heads. Sleeping outdoors adjusts our body rhythms, which is good forquality of sleep and therefore, good for health. A study from the University ofColorado Boulder backs it up. Kenneth P. Wright, a sleep researcher and authorof the new study and a related study from 2013, says camping syncs us to therise and fall of the sun. Even a weekend spent in full light during the day andtrue darkness at night can have an impact on our circadian rhythm. That’s whathelps us fall asleep earlier, wake up earlier, and can deliver a number ofhealth benefits. "Living in our modern environments can significantlydelay our circadian timing and late circadian timing is associated with manyhealth consequences. But as little as a weekend camping trip can resetit," Wright said in a statement. Let’s get out there
Visit Here Before Heading Out
It was a long winter. If you’re getting antsy to hit the trails and to re-alignyour circadian rhythm with the sun, we support you. But maybe you’re rusty atcommuning with nature, or you’re new to it. In that case, take a few tips fromone of our experts before packing the camping gear or heading up the trail.Jacob Deakins, M.D., is an urgent care physician at Providence Sacred HeartMedical Center in Spokane, Wash., and a Fellow of the Academy of WildernessMedicine. Wilderness medicine requires special training to practice in remoteplaces where outside rescue might not be available, and professional medicalhelp may be hours or days away.In addition to practicing medicine, Dr. Deakinsis an outdoorsman and adventurer. We asked him about the results of Wright’sstudy. He knows about the benefits of sleeping attuned to the sun and says it’sone of many benefits to camping and being in the wilderness. But here’s therub: In order to truly benefit from spending nights in the forest, you need toleave your electronic devices behind. Or at least, keep them powered off.
Shut ‘em down
Visit Here Before Heading Out
“Some people have a hard time letting go of their devices,” says Dr. Deakins.But it pays off when they do, especially if they are kids who spend a greatdeal of time looking at screens. When Dr. Deakins and his brothers and nephewshit the trails, the rule is “kids leave their phones behind.”Although it’s wiseto take at least one cellphone on a hike or camping for safety purposes, Dr.Deakins recommends the “no kids’ phones” rule for all families seeking solacein nature. Recent studies show that electronic devices are having a negativeimpact on kids’ sleep and as a result, affecting their health, as well as theirability to concentrate and learn. In fact, we wrote about the signs ofcellphone addiction in kids in a recent post.
Look, but don’t drink
Visit Here Before Heading Out
There’s been a lot of rain and snow in many parts of the country this pastwinter, which means streams and rivers will be moving fast and appear to bepristine. No matter how tempting it is to drink from the babbling brook, don’tdo it. At least, don’t do it without filtering first. The water may look clear,but your eyes can’t see pathogens, such as giardia.The symptoms of giardiasisare terribly unpleasant anytime, but especially when camping or hiking. Theyinclude diarrhea, abdominal bloating and cramping, nausea and fatigue.“Stayaway from drinking any running water unless it’s a life or death situation,”says Dr. Deakins. “No matter how remote you are, there’s a risk of giardia.”Thedoctor recommends bringing a filter straw, water filter system or even iodinepills or drops. All of these options remove most pathogens in the water. Youcan find water filtration systems at outdoor stores.
Visit Here Before Heading Out
With flora and fauna come sneezes and sniffles. When you’re in nature,especially in spring, you’re exposed to an untold number of allergens dependingon where you are, the weather conditions, the amount of recent rainfall and theseason. For example, this year hikers and campers in the mountains of SouthernCalifornia will encounter higher pollen levels because of the incredible amountof rainfall in the region. Pollen allergies can cause stuffy nose, itchy eyesand tiredness, and they be particularly harmful for people with asthma. Dr.Deakins suggests taking an over-the-counter allergy medicine if you’re prone toallergies, before heading out on the trail. And pack an antihistamine in yourfirst aid kit, as well as hydrocortisone cream in case you encounter poison ivyor poison oak.
Check for ticks
Visit Here Before Heading Out
Some people still insist that the only way to get a tick out of your skin is tosmother it in petroleum jelly or to put a hot match to its tail-end. “Nottrue,” says Dr. Deakins. “Grab the end of the tick with a pair of tweezers andpull straight out.” Even better: Take precautions to discourage ticks fromgetting on you in the first place. Some types of ticks perch on the edge oflow-lying vegetation and grab onto animals and people as they pass by. Otherticks stick close to rodents and their nests and may only come out at night tofeed. Wear long pants, sleeves and long socks to help keep ticks from attachingto you. Then do a self-check or have a friend inspect your skin after your hikeor spend time in the woods. Check your kids and four-legged companions, as wellas your clothing. Carefully inspect areas around the head, neck, ears, underyour arms, between your legs and behind your knees. Look for what may appear tobe a new freckle or speck of dirt.Lyme disease is caused by a tick bite, and itcan be serious. But Dr. Deakins says there is a 24-hour window where the riskof a tick passing Lyme disease is very small.
Visit Here Before Heading Out
This is really great article I found at "www.providence.org" andknowing the camping culture is coming back stronger, I just thought I shouldshare this with you all.
Credit goes to Allison Milionis for sharing this piece of her writing with us.
Cheers!
Back to nature: What you need to know before you go
Most of us camp to bask in nature. Communing with trees, mountains, lakes andopen sky unmarked by power lines helps restore a sense of psychologicalbalance. We return to civilization well-rested with renewed energy and spiritto tackle what comes our way. It turns out all this feel-good stuff isn’t inour heads. Sleeping outdoors adjusts our body rhythms, which is good forquality of sleep and therefore, good for health. A study from the University ofColorado Boulder backs it up. Kenneth P. Wright, a sleep researcher and authorof the new study and a related study from 2013, says camping syncs us to therise and fall of the sun. Even a weekend spent in full light during the day andtrue darkness at night can have an impact on our circadian rhythm. That’s whathelps us fall asleep earlier, wake up earlier, and can deliver a number ofhealth benefits. "Living in our modern environments can significantlydelay our circadian timing and late circadian timing is associated with manyhealth consequences. But as little as a weekend camping trip can resetit," Wright said in a statement. Let’s get out there
Visit Here Before Heading Out
It was a long winter. If you’re getting antsy to hit the trails and to re-alignyour circadian rhythm with the sun, we support you. But maybe you’re rusty atcommuning with nature, or you’re new to it. In that case, take a few tips fromone of our experts before packing the camping gear or heading up the trail.Jacob Deakins, M.D., is an urgent care physician at Providence Sacred HeartMedical Center in Spokane, Wash., and a Fellow of the Academy of WildernessMedicine. Wilderness medicine requires special training to practice in remoteplaces where outside rescue might not be available, and professional medicalhelp may be hours or days away.In addition to practicing medicine, Dr. Deakinsis an outdoorsman and adventurer. We asked him about the results of Wright’sstudy. He knows about the benefits of sleeping attuned to the sun and says it’sone of many benefits to camping and being in the wilderness. But here’s therub: In order to truly benefit from spending nights in the forest, you need toleave your electronic devices behind. Or at least, keep them powered off.
Shut ‘em down
Visit Here Before Heading Out
“Some people have a hard time letting go of their devices,” says Dr. Deakins.But it pays off when they do, especially if they are kids who spend a greatdeal of time looking at screens. When Dr. Deakins and his brothers and nephewshit the trails, the rule is “kids leave their phones behind.”Although it’s wiseto take at least one cellphone on a hike or camping for safety purposes, Dr.Deakins recommends the “no kids’ phones” rule for all families seeking solacein nature. Recent studies show that electronic devices are having a negativeimpact on kids’ sleep and as a result, affecting their health, as well as theirability to concentrate and learn. In fact, we wrote about the signs ofcellphone addiction in kids in a recent post.
Look, but don’t drink
Visit Here Before Heading Out
There’s been a lot of rain and snow in many parts of the country this pastwinter, which means streams and rivers will be moving fast and appear to bepristine. No matter how tempting it is to drink from the babbling brook, don’tdo it. At least, don’t do it without filtering first. The water may look clear,but your eyes can’t see pathogens, such as giardia.The symptoms of giardiasisare terribly unpleasant anytime, but especially when camping or hiking. Theyinclude diarrhea, abdominal bloating and cramping, nausea and fatigue.“Stayaway from drinking any running water unless it’s a life or death situation,”says Dr. Deakins. “No matter how remote you are, there’s a risk of giardia.”Thedoctor recommends bringing a filter straw, water filter system or even iodinepills or drops. All of these options remove most pathogens in the water. Youcan find water filtration systems at outdoor stores.
Visit Here Before Heading Out
With flora and fauna come sneezes and sniffles. When you’re in nature,especially in spring, you’re exposed to an untold number of allergens dependingon where you are, the weather conditions, the amount of recent rainfall and theseason. For example, this year hikers and campers in the mountains of SouthernCalifornia will encounter higher pollen levels because of the incredible amountof rainfall in the region. Pollen allergies can cause stuffy nose, itchy eyesand tiredness, and they be particularly harmful for people with asthma. Dr.Deakins suggests taking an over-the-counter allergy medicine if you’re prone toallergies, before heading out on the trail. And pack an antihistamine in yourfirst aid kit, as well as hydrocortisone cream in case you encounter poison ivyor poison oak.
Check for ticks
Visit Here Before Heading Out
Some people still insist that the only way to get a tick out of your skin is tosmother it in petroleum jelly or to put a hot match to its tail-end. “Nottrue,” says Dr. Deakins. “Grab the end of the tick with a pair of tweezers andpull straight out.” Even better: Take precautions to discourage ticks fromgetting on you in the first place. Some types of ticks perch on the edge oflow-lying vegetation and grab onto animals and people as they pass by. Otherticks stick close to rodents and their nests and may only come out at night tofeed. Wear long pants, sleeves and long socks to help keep ticks from attachingto you. Then do a self-check or have a friend inspect your skin after your hikeor spend time in the woods. Check your kids and four-legged companions, as wellas your clothing. Carefully inspect areas around the head, neck, ears, underyour arms, between your legs and behind your knees. Look for what may appear tobe a new freckle or speck of dirt.Lyme disease is caused by a tick bite, and itcan be serious. But Dr. Deakins says there is a 24-hour window where the riskof a tick passing Lyme disease is very small.
Visit Here Before Heading Out
This is really great article I found at "www.providence.org" andknowing the camping culture is coming back stronger, I just thought I shouldshare this with you all.
Credit goes to Allison Milionis for sharing this piece of her writing with us.
Cheers!