Ask a Researcher: Recreation expert Dr. Laurene Rehman, explains the hidden health benefits of being out in nature.
In the Ask series, experts from across the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management will answer your questions about sports, recreation, kinesiology, community development and more.
A: There's a ton of research showing that your blood pressure actually goes down once you go outside and your mood increases. You're smiling right now, too! And so it's just amazing opportunity to engage and to be one with nature because you look around and what do you see? Trees, birds, people. And how many people are unhappy when they're outside? Camping allows you to be one with nature, but it also forces you to get outside of your comfort zone. And so the other thing I've found about camping is trying to break down barriers so everyone can do it.
There's more and more accessible opportunities for camping. I was just camping on the way here, moving from Nova Scotia to Manitoba, and my favorite campsite had an incredible accessible washroom wheel in space and just allowing those barriers to break down so everyone can be outside and engage with nature.
Dr. Rehman has 25 years of experience in academia and expertise in recreation and leisure studies. Her research focuses on breaking down barriers to access to recreation and leisure, particularly physically active leisure. Rehman also enjoys research related to the scholarship of teaching and learning. In her leisure time, she enjoys hiking, camping and reading.
Dr. Rehman is the new Dean of the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management.
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