Take a Walk - It's better than you think

Having a rough day? Get outside. Find some trees and do something good for yourself.

In a series of studies, scientists found that when people swap their concrete confines for a few hours in more natural surroundings — forests, parks and other places with plenty of trees — they experience increased immune function. Who knew a walk in the woods could have so many health benefits? -

I love how the Japanese embraced the idea and coined the term shinrin-yoku or forest bathing.

Scientists found that plants release phytoncides, naturally occurring airborne chemicals that benefit humans by increasing immune function, raising white blood cell counts, lowering pulse rate and also lowering blood pressure.

A number of other studies have shown that visiting parks and forests seems to raise levels of white blood cells, including one in 2007 in which men who took two-hour walks in a forest over two days had a 50-percent spike in levels of natural killer cells. And another found an increase in white blood cells that lasted a week in women exposed to phytoncides in forest air.

Or as John Muir said in the late 1800's, "In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks."