Local parks are places of health rejuvenation

Bay Area doctors are reporting that Type 2 diabetes, depression, anxiety, and feelings of loneliness and isolation are at an all-time high, especially among low-income groups.

Fortunately, some of these same doctors are focused on the health benefits of spending time in nature, and ‘prescribe’ nature time to their patients. It’s a wonderful example of a more progressive type of healthcare.

For many years, scientists have studied the health benefits of being in nature. Many studies have shown that spending time in nature can reduce stress while increasing happiness. Being in nature can also strengthen the immune system. Blood pressure, heart rate, and the level of stress hormones also decrease faster in natural settings.

Fully aware of the health benefits of green spaces, the East Bay Regional Park District (EBRPD) has actively partnered with healthcare providers and community leaders who are interested in prescribing nature for chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and obesity.

Dr. Rohan Radhakrishna is Deputy Health Officer for Contra Costa County. He has a family medicine practice in Martinez, where many of his patients are Hispanic.

‘Less screen time, more green time’ is Dr. Radhakrishna’s motto, referring to the negative health impact of the many hours most people spend focused on an electronic device every day.

“Phones can show screen time and the number of steps taken,” says Dr. Radhakrishna. “The numbers don’t lie. We want less than two hours of screen time and at least 10,000 steps per day.”

The doctor strongly prefers that the majority of those steps are taken outdoors, in places of nature.

“Exercise outdoors is much more beneficial than indoors,” says Dr. Radhakrishna, who speaks fluent Spanish with his patients. “This is what health looks like – outdoors. Taking pills in a clinic is not health.”

The doctor actually writes prescriptions for parks and walking.

“Underlying health conditions make a person twelve times more likely to die from COVID-19,” he says. “What is in our control is strengthening our bodies and immune systems. That means healthy active lifestyles, which means being active outdoors.”

When asked about the chronic health conditions that his Hispanic patients live with, the doctor says, “The key to health is changing habits and I encourage people to do it together and keep each other accountable – a person to be a coach and reminder.

These things are often free and within our hands,” he says emphatically. “It’s up to us and our communities to change our behaviors.”

Other local health professionals also have a strong focus on the health benefits of spending time outside in nature.

“Visiting parks for exercise and enjoyment of nature is good for your physical and mental health,” said Dr. Erica Pan, Interim Alameda County Health Officer.

Bay Area health officers such as Radhakrishna and Pan acknowledged the essential role of parks during the COVID-19 pandemic in order to allow the public to receive the health benefits of parks. The official recognition of parks as essential is what has allowed most district parks to remain open in recent months.

The East Bay Regional Park District has a history of supporting access of its parks for healing and health. In 2014, the district partnered with doctors at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital in Oakland. UCSF doctors began encouraging their patients to spend time in nature as part of their healing. Instead of prescribing only the usual hospital treatments, these doctors acknowledge the real healing ability of being in outdoor places like parks and beaches. With the support of the Regional Parks Foundation, hospital patients, their families, and accompanying clinic staff were brought every weekend to a variety of parks.

Dr. Nooshin Razani of UCSF said, “The result has been magical.”

Bringing patients to parks is part of Dr. Razani’s alternative prescription for better kids' health at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland, where she directs the Center for Nature and Health. From the UCSF website:

“The feeling – evoked by trees, fresh air, and freedom – can ease loneliness, stress, and other conditions linked to poor health.”

Whether relaxing by a lake or enjoying a long hike in the East Bay hills, local parks are ideal places to feel your own well-being and be grateful to live in an area with an abundance of beautiful spaces to enjoy nature and its many benefits.

When you do access local parks, the park district asks that you follow these rules and guidelines:

• Wear cloth face coverings/masks as recommended by the CDC.
• Maintain 6 feet social distance from other park users while walking, biking, and fishing.
• NO picnicking, gatherings, or meetup groups (only immediate households).
• Bring your trash home. Do not leave trash in parks or on trails.
• Keep dogs ON LEASH at ALL times in ALL parks (where dogs are allowed)
• Pick up after your dog
• Bring water and hand sanitizer. Water fountains in parks are temporarily closed.

Visit www.ebparks.org for up-to-date information about parks and closures.