Not all prescriptions involve medicine. For instance, this summer Harbin Clinic is writing a prescription to Northwest Georgians to spend more time outdoors to boost their mental and physical health. Dr. Ed McBride, Harbin Clinic’s chief medical officer and chief medical information officer, says, “Overall, our generation tends to be less physically active than previous generations, and we often choose to spend our leisure time indoors. Recharging indoors isn’t bad, but we want to remind people of the numerous physical and mental health benefits that come with spending time outdoors.”
One statistic says the average American spends 90% of their lives indoors. Harbin Clinic’s summer initiative, Prescribe Outside, seeks to decrease that percentage. However, the multi-specialty medical group is aware that ‘getting outdoors’ means different things to different people.
Through a variety of intentional partnerships, Harbin Clinic is aiming to provide an outdoor activity every person can enjoy. From hiking to scavenger hunts to outdoor hip-hop classes, the Prescribe Outside summer events are easily accessible and most of them free. They’re also a great way to be active with family or loved ones. Whatever it is people love to do outdoors, that’s what Harbin Clinic hopes to encourage.
Good for the body, good for the mind
Dr. McBride says, “There’s a mounting body of scientific evidence stating that being outdoors reduces our overall stress hormones.” Cortisol, a hormone naturally produced by the body, impacts our ability to regulate and respond to stress. While having too little cortisol can be dangerous for overall health, having too much can also be harmful. When there’s a lot of stress present—physical, emotional, or otherwise—cortisol levels often become elevated. There is evidence that being outdoors, even for as little as 20 minutes at a time, can reduce the body’s overall cortisol level and raise the natural endorphin level. According to Dr. McBride, proper regulation of cortisol levels play a crucial role in overall well-being.