Vitamin D Informative Speech

I. Introduction: Do you remember singing “over the river and through the woods, to grandmother’s house we go”? This song automatically brings up memories and puts a smile across my face. As college students, we suffer from lack of energy, stress, and we barely have time to spend time with loved ones. I have found several online sources to support the benefits of being outside. Also, I personally have experienced these benefits. Going outdoors is great for your physical health, mental wellbeing, and encourages a healthy bond from adolescent to adulthood. In the next few minutes, I will show you how being out in nature can change your health, happiness, and your overall outlook on life.

So now, let’s begin with the physical benefits of being

According to the article “Health Benefits”, that was published on the National Wildlife Federation website on October 21st,2013, spending time outside raises the level of Vitamin D in your body. (National Wildlife Federation, 2013)
1. Vitamin D is essential for the immune system (National Wildlife Federation,2013)
2. Protects Children: If vitamin D level is sufficient, lowers risk of bone problems, heart disease, and diabetes. (National Wildlife Federation,2013)
3. Vitamin D helps absorb calcium, which develops and maintains strong bones
4. Vitamin D deficiency is a risk factor for heart attacks
5. Vitamin D helps improve the sensitivity to insulin, reducing the risk of insulin resistance.

B. Also, according to this article, going outdoors reduces the chances of obesity. (National Wildlife Federation,2013)
1. Going outdoors increases the chance of becoming active.
2. If started at a young age, it can help decrease the statistic of one out of three children becoming obese. (National Wildlife Federation,2013)
3. At a young age, I was exposed to outdoor play. I am still physically active today.

Now that we have discovered some of the physical benefits of being outside, we can now talk about the mental health

The study showed those that were in nature, had a reduction in their cortisol level and over all felt less stressed. (Park, et al., 2010)
3. Personally, I feel less stressed when out in nature.

B. According to “How nature can help with your depression” published by Diana Rodriguez in Everyday Health on July 30th, 2014, mother nature can help reduce symptoms of major depression. (Rodriguez, 2014)
1. Dr. Reedy, an Eco therapist, was interviewed about her Wilderness Therapy program. (Rodriguez,2014)
2. During physical activity, endorphins are released. (Rodriguez,2014)
3. Endorphins are natural chemicals that improve mood, reduce depression, anger, and tension. (Rodriguez,2014)

C. An avid hiker and sufferer of major depression, Dick Sederquest, was also interviewed for this article. (Rodriguez,2014) 1. Hiking helped him completely defeat depression. (Rodriguez, 2014) 2. Although your medication regime should still be followed, seeking natural therapy can be beneficial. (Rodriguez,2014)

Next, going outdoors can also encourage bonding. IV. Spending time in nature is a great way to bond and form memories with loved ones from childhood to