GLENVIEW (WBBM NEWSRADIO) - Sunday’s beautiful weather provided another reason for people to get out to Cook County’s Forest Preserves, where the agency hosted several activities in an effort to improve the public’s health.
There was yoga amid fallen leaves, kids painting rocks at picnic tables and a walk guided by County Commissioner Josina Morita at Harms Woods. She put together the first Nurtured by Nature event in the hopes of reversing a disturbing trend.
“Every few weeks, we get a message from the Forest Preserve that there’s been a suicide here in the Forest Preserves. It’s been an increase since the pandemic…That’s really challenging…We were thinking about how can we educate and engage communities about the positive benefits,” Morita said.
County Public Health Chief Operating Officer Dr. LaMar Hasbrouck outlined some of those perks of being in nature.
“Improved attention, lower stress, increases our mood, it kind of buffers the effects of loneliness and social isolation,” Hasbrouck said.
The Forest Preserves has events planned throughout the year.
Listen to our new podcast Looped In: Chicago
Listen to WBBM Newsradio now on Audacy!
Sign up and follow WBBM Newsradio
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram