AHS asks: Are you getting enough 'Vitamin N'?

N is for Nature – and being outdoors is the focus for Mental Health Week May 1-7

SOUTH ZONE – Alberta Health Services (AHS) invites you to boost your intake of ‘Vitamin N’ (N is for Nature) and get outdoors during Mental Health Awareness Week, May 1-7.  

Research shows there are many mental health benefits from outdoor activities such as gardening, playing sports, walking and running, or just sitting and enjoying the scenery. 

Positive effects include improved mood and energy; less negativity and worry; lower blood pressure; faster recovery from stressful events; an increase in creativity; improved cognitive development in children; and an overall calming effect.  

Packets of sunflower seeds for planting will be available through area Addiction and Mental Health offices, and each packet is imprinted with a mental health promotion message. 

Postcards will be distributed at various locations in AHS South Zone, offering ideas for activities to do outdoors. 

Many South Zone schools will host student challenges with a focus on outdoor activities and will share positive mental health messages with students.

South Zone events include:

Medicine Hat 

• Sunday, April 30: AHS is a partner in Run/Walk and Fun Fest at Kin Coulee Park. Registration at 1 p.m., activities starting at 2 p.m.
• Saturday, May 6: Join an interpreter at Police Point Park on Police Point Drive N.E. at 2 p.m. for a guided nature walk.

Lethbridge

• Wednesday, May 3: Participate in Yoga in the Park from noon to 1 p.m. beside the large wagon wheel sculptures on the coulee outside the Galt Museum (weather permitting). 
• Sunday, May 7: Explore the city on a Jane’s Walk event, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., starting at the Helen Schuler Nature Centre, Indian Battle Park.  
• Ongoing: The Helen Schuler Nature Centre presents a display about how nature is beneficial to promote positive mental well-being.

Albertans are encouraged to share, through their Facebook and Twitter pages, how they enjoy the outdoors. Hashtag posts with #AHSMentalHealthWeek and tag us @AHS_SouthZone and we will re-tweet.

You’ll find us online here:

• NEW - Addiction and Mental Health webpage: ahs.ca/amh 
• Ways to Wellness: albertahealthservices.ca/info/Page13769.aspx
• Help in Tough Times: albertahealthservices.ca/news/Page13094.aspx 
• AHS_behealthy: https://twitter.com/AHS_behealthy
• AHS_SouthZone: https://twitter.com/AHS_SouthZone
• Facebook: facebook.com/pages/Alberta-Health-Services/179579998746821

Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than four million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to provide a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

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