Did you know that a person’s health can be determined in part by the quality of his or her neighborhood? Things like parks and trees, supportive neighbors, distance to the grocery store, availability of sidewalks and roads, crime rates, and culture all affect the way our bodies operate. Here in the Beaumont-Wilshire neighborhood, we seem to be doing pretty well in certain areas. Because of that, we have the opportunity to live not only healthy, but thriving lives, and never is it more possible than when the skies are clear and the air is warm. As an example, as owner and certified trainer of Homegrown Fit Boot Camp, I can’t think of a more idyllic setting than beautiful Wilshire Park for early-morning summer exercise. With that in mind, here are four ways that you can utilize our neighborhood to live an even more fulfilling and healthy life than you already do:
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Use our sidewalks. Okay, we know that “sitting is the new smoking.” Without intentional movement each day, our bodies gradually move toward dysfunction. Luckily, nearly all our neighborhood streets are accompanied by a sidewalk. Let’s take advantage of them daily, both for recreational purposes and as avenues of transportation. In return, gain the benefits of improved mood, increased energy, and better overall physical health.
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Plan an active outing. Sure, date nights usually include dinner, drinks, or both. Next time you make plans, choose an activity that leaves you and your date feeling invigorated or restored. There are many choices available in the area that could fit the bill: book a couples’ massage appointment, go for a bike ride on our designated bike routes, go window shopping, take a yoga class together at a local studio, or play like kids at our neighborhood parks.
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Grow stuff. It’s a pleasure to eat something that you grew yourself. (And even if you don’t like vegetables, there’s pleasure in just saying that you have a vegetable garden—especially in Portlandia!) In the case of health, it’s not clear whether the tending to or the dining upon has more health benefits. First, caring for a garden gets you off your seat. Also, the more often you go outside to weed and water, the more chances you’ll have to make social connections with your neighbors. The bounty of an organic home garden can provide otherwise lacking access to pesticide- and GMO-free food, thus increasing the amount of veggies eaten at home. If you don’t have enough space in your yard for a garden, or you don’t have a yard at all, another option is community gardening.
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Participate. Though it has nothing to do with what you put into your mouth or how much exercise you get, just being part of a group with a cause can improve your health. There are many opportunities in the area, ranging from volunteering your time at school or special events, to offering free professional services to local organizations. And, of course, there’s always BWNA!