New PACE session explores the benefits of nature
Photo by Northumberland Hills Hospital.
By Cecilia Nasmith, Northumberland 89.7 FM
The Health Benefits of Spending Time in Nature is the topic of this month's PACE Speakers Series at 5:30 p.m. April 24.
Registration is now open for this free virtual conversation that will feature guest speakers Dr, Anuja Sharma and Leslie Abram.
An Internal Medicine specialist with IMCare, Dr. Sharma has been in practice since 1996 with a special interest in diseases of the skin, thyroid disorders, osteoporosis, arthritis, and health and wellness.
Abram is a local naturalist, birder and volunteer board member of the Northumberland Land Trust (where she co-ordinates free nature walks). A retired elementary-school teacher, Abram is also a certified yoga instructor who blends her love of the natural world with her personal interest and affinity for its many benefits on mental and physical health.
The presentation will speak to the various ways – visual, auditory, physical – in which people engage with nature, and how all impart value for the body and spirit. It's an opportunity also to learn about local spaces to explore and gain tips on how to engage with nature mindfully.
The talk will also answer such important questions as “What are some different ways I can experience the mental and physical benefits of nature,” “What are some ideas to integrate time in nature into my life,” “Where are some nearby natural spaces I can explore” and “What community groups and resources will allow me to learn more about nature in Northumberland County.”
As always with PACE Talks, questions from the audience are welcome. These can be presubmitted at mbhargava@imc,ca prior to April 24 or (if time permits) posed live during the event.
Dr. Mukesh Bhargava originated these sessions in 2018 as a way of answering the questions he was hearing most often from his patients. Over the years, these free public-education sessions have tackled a broad range of health and wellness topics, drawing large groups of community members with their own questions and perspectives.
These hour-long sessions include a 30-minute talk, a 20-minute question-and-answer period, and a short moderator summary.
Bring your questions, your suggestions and your experience, and join in what is sure to be another informative discussion on a topic chosen by previous PACE audiences.
Pre-registration is required, and space is limited to the first 300 to register. The event is hosted through Zoom, and attendees are asked to log on five minutes prior to the start.
To register, visit www.pacetalks.com, where you'll also find recordings from many of the previous seasons' talks.
