Awareness Trail opens at Maple Wood Nature Center

LAGRANGE — The LaGrange County Parks and Recreation Department, in collaboration with Parkview LaGrange Hospital and the Bowen Center, has created an Awareness Trail at Maple Wood Nature Center, 4550 E. CR 100S, LaGrange.

A ribbon cutting ceremony will be held at the trailhead near the nature center and sugar house on Saturday, October 5, at 09:00. It will introduce a brief welcome path and share its creation, purpose and goals.

Responding to the community’s need for mental well-being and physical health, this walking awareness trail shares eight activities along a 1-mile accessible portion of the trail system at the LaGrange County Nature Preserve, also known as the Maple Wood Nature Center, a news release said. From the LaGrange County Parks and Recreation Department.

Station activities direct walkers to use their senses as a reminder to stay in the present; this can lead to health benefits such as reduced stress and improved mood.

“According to the latest community health assessment, mental health was identified as the #1 health priority for LaGrange County,” said Christina Blaskie, Parkview LaGrange Hospital Community Health Improvement Leader. “Parkview LaGrange Hospital is grateful for the collaboration between the LaGrange Parks Department and Bowen Health to bring this awareness pathway to our community.”

October is National Emotional Health Month and was chosen as an opportune time to launch the new community resource. Mindfulness refers to being aware of oneself in the present moment without judgment. It is a practice that can separate one from the stresses of life to allow quiet personal time that can increase coping skills and elevate mood.

For example, the station at the trailhead encourages visitors to take a deep breath. According to Harvard Health, simply observing one’s breathing can reduce stress and open the door to a healthier, more mindful lifestyle.

“Psychological stress has a devastating effect on health. Research shows that people with heart disease fare worse over time if they don’t control stress, and stress is associated with a higher risk of cancer. Stress is strongly associated with poor memory and greater aches and pains. But reducing stress helps you sleep better and control high blood pressure,” says an April 2014 article from Harvard Health Publishing. “One of the easiest ways to reduce stress is to focus your attention solely on your breathing. It is an ‘entry level’ form of meditation that anyone can do. “You’ll immediately notice a sense of relief that can help you maintain your health over time.”

Awareness walks and nature walks were held throughout this year in state parks, natural areas and communities around the Hoosier state and offered across the United States.