For many of us, the arrival of the Victoria Day weekend marks the real
beginning of summer. This is the time when cottages are opened, campgrounds are filled, gardens are planted, golf courses are bustling, and yard work is done. Weather permitting, it’s also a time when all of us can enjoy the outdoors – be it going for a walk, sitting in a park, or enjoying sitting out on a balcony, deck or patio. The Victoria Day weekend does mark, at least for me, the real beginning of summer.

Because these days are precious, a numbers of doctors are emphasizing how important it is for all of us to take advantage of the warmer weather and spend time out in nature. According to Harvard Health, “spending regular time outdoors is linked with multiple health benefits: decreased stress and anxiety, improve cognitive function, better sleep, and a lower risk of hearty disease, diabetes and cancer.” What’s more, a high level of physical activity isn’t required to reap some of these benefits. Simply being
outside can help us feel better.

For some of us, this is second nature. But if we’ve become used to spending most of our time indoors – or if our bodies are ache and we find it’s not as easy as it once was to get around – it can be easier to sit inside and keep watching TV. To counter this trend, doctors in New Brunswick can now prescribe spending time in nature to patients who might need it for their physical or mental health. Indeed, the act of having this “activity” written down by a doctor can increase the chance that a patient follows through with the advice, rather than if it were just recommended verbally. Having an activity prescribed is sometimes necessary to help achieve the desired results.

Indeed, this is something that Jesus had long recognized. So this coming Sunday we’ll be focusing on one of the prescriptions he gave his disciples – the commandment to love – and how following that advice can also bring significant benefits to us and others. I look forward to seeing many of you then – even though (alas) we’ll be indoors for an hour! But regardless of where you are, I hope you enjoy a restorative and healthy long weekend.