Walking Outdoors Has Positive Effect on Health

             A way for college students to relieve some of their stress and regain some energy is to get outside and exercise, according to Heather Kirkes, fitness and outreach coordinator at OU. Walking outside at a fast pace is a good form of cardio exercise, according to Kirkes.

            Getting outside on a nice day can have great effects on a student’s brain, according to Richard Ryan, a psychology professor at the University of Rochester.  

“Nature is fuel for the soul,” said Ryan. “Often when we feel depleted we reach for a cup of coffee, but research suggests a better way to get energized is to connect with nature," he said.

            According to the Mental Health News Organization, just 20 minutes a day outdoors in a natural environment is enough to have an impact on energy and vitality.

 There are many trails near the University of Oklahoma campus for students to use, including one that is located right in front of the Sam Noble Museum of Natural History, according to the city of Norman’s Parks And Recreation website.

Fruits and Veggies Have Many Health Benefits

         Fruit and vegetables are an important part of one's diet, as they take up a big portion of the food pyramid. The food pyramid can be found on mypyramid.gov.
         Alexandra Sampson, health and exercise science sophomore, said that fruits and vegetables have many healthy benefits.



         Vegetables specifically are rich in potassium, fiber, folate, and the vitamins A, E and C, according to mypyramid.gov. Folate helps the body form red blood cells. Vitamin A keeps your skin and eyes healthy. Vitamin E protects vitamin A and keeps essential fatty acids from cell oxidation. Vitamin C aids in iron absorption and keeps your teeth and gums healthy. It also helps you heal from cuts and wounds faster.
         Fruits contain many of the same nutrients that vegetables do, specifically potassium, fiber, and vitamin C.
         Heather Kirkes, Registered Dietician at OU, said students should be getting at least 2 to 3 servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
         “One serving of fruit would be a medium-sized piece about the size of a baseball. Veggies are one-half cup,” Kirkes said.
         Kirkes said some vegetables are different than others.
         “Some are starchy vegetables like corn, potatoes, and green beans," she said. "They contain more carbohydrates and are converted to sugar in the blood more quickly than vegetables such as spinach, celery, asparagus or broccoli, but they are still good for you.”
         There are different ways to prepare your vegetables, also. Kirkes said that raw vegetables have more vitamins and minerals because the cooking process can cause them to be leaked out into the water.
         “Steaming is a great way to cook veggies because it’s quick and helps to retain the vitamins and minerals,” Kirkes said.