4 benefits of Village Health Partners' new Park Prescriptions
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I'm getting a prescription for what?!
We all know that exercise is an integral part of overall health, as it strengthens muscles and releases endorphins to leave us in a positive mood. But did you know that it doesn't require a rigorous routine with hours at an extravagant gym? It really can be as easy as a daily 30-minute walk around your neighborhood park. And there is no shortage of parks in Plano, TX! The city boasts 70 local parks for you to enjoy an afternoon hike.
We believe that by empowering patients to utilize these resources in their area, they will be able to thrive with a lessened need for expensive medications and other burdensome treatments. Physicians at Village Health Partners will soon be supplementing care plans with park prescriptions, encouraging you to exercise and spend time outside.
Forget about expensive gym memberships. Village Health Partners wants you to utilize the resources provided by our community partner, the city of Plano.
But what exactly is a park prescription? Park prescriptions include activity recommendations from your provider, from taking your dog on a walk to taking the family out for a bike ride. You can enjoy these activities at one of Plano's 70+ parks and trails.
Here are just a few of the ways that you benefit from taking a stroll outdoors.
1. Increased heart health – Better fitness can help reduce the risk of a heart attack and can help improve outcomes after heart attacks. You can reduce your risk from just a 30-minute brisk walk every day! Generally, the more intense your exercise, the shorter the amount of time you need to spend exercising.
Daily walks can also decrease your blood pressure – almost as well as some medications! Cardiovascular exercise strengthens your heart, so it doesn't have to work as hard to pump blood, which lowers your blood pressure. Even if your blood pressure is in a healthy range, exercise can help prevent it from rising as you get older.
2. Reduced body fat – It's no secret that exercise burns calories, which leads to fat loss. You can burn around 90 to 200 calories during a 30-minute walk, depending on your pace. The quicker the speed, the more calories you burn!
3. Improve your mood – Walking, instead of standing or sitting, increases feelings of joy, enthusiasm, alertness, interest, and more! By just enjoying time outdoors, you are likely to be more positive and engaged in whatever you do after.
4. Strengthen bones and muscle – Walking is a weight-bearing exercise, which means that it causes new bone tissue to form. This helps strengthen muscle and bone tissue and can help prevent falls related to broken bones!
Click here to learn more about the City of Plano's parks and trails near you!
Do you want to see a provider who works with you and your lifestyle to find the best care plan for you? Schedule your next appointment with Dr. Sandy Nguy, or find a list of our providers here.