Get Outside and Moving During National Wellness Month
Published: August 29, 2023
National Wellness Month is in August, and with the dog days of the summer upon us, there’s no better time to get outside and get moving for your mental and physical health!
Studies have shown that getting outside can improve your well-being, from reduced depression symptoms and improved sleep to enhanced immune function and better vision. So, Pause Before You Play has rounded up a list of outdoor activities around the state that you and your family can participate in this August.
Visit one of Ohio’s 75 state parks: Ohio is full of so many beautiful state parks all over, and each offers a unique advantage. You and the family can do everything from boating and paddling to hiking and climbing. And the best part: it’s all free! Ohio is one of just seven states that do not charge entrance fees to its parks.
Stop and smell the lavender: You-pick lavender fields are plentiful in Ohio and can be a great activity for the entire family to take part in. Popular state sites include the Northeast Ohio Lavender Trail, Maize Valley in Hartville, Sunshine Acres Lavender Farm in Morrow, and more.
Have a beach day: You might not think of Ohio as a place to lounge on the beach and build sandcastles. But believe it or not, Ohio is one of just a few states that sits along the Great Lakes, the largest chain of freshwater lakes in the world! Ohio rides the shore of Lake Erie and is just a few hours’ drive from Lake Huron and Lake Ontario. Here’s a list of Lake Erie beaches you can access for free.
Look for fossils: Caesar Creek State Park near Waynesville is a top spot to search for fossils, including Ohio’s state fossil the trilobite! Take the whole family out and make a day of searching for these rare treasures and partake in other activities like fishing, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and archery.
Go back in time: Take a trip back to the 1890s at Ohio Village, an Ohio History Connection experience. While there, you can meet villagers dressed in full 19th-century dress wear, tour authentic homes and buildings of the time, and even see the Ohio Village Muffins baseball team play the game by 19th-century rules.
Let us know if you decide to be a part of any of these activities this August by taking a selfie, tagging us, and using the hashtag #NationalWellnessMonth!
And if you’re interested in continuing your wellness journey by learning about mental health and its connection to problem gambling, you can access Pause Before You Play’s free education and resources.