Nature in Therapy – Dark Skies Presentation (June 19)

June 19

Nature in Therapy/Dark Skies presentation

Join the Friends of Richfield Heritage Preserve on Wednesday, June 19, 7-9 p.m., for their quarterly meeting with Dr. Joe Blanda speaking about “Nature in Therapy/Dark Skies.” Blanda will discuss the health benefits of experiencing the night sky, quiet time, night sounds and the adverse effects of blue light. Exposure to artificial light at night can affect one’s circadian rhythm, impacting sleep, hormones, eating habits and body temperature. People can help reset their system by spending time in natural spaces under dark skies to lower stress, improve sleep and enhance their mental and physical health.

Blanda is a recently retired orthopedic surgeon who practiced in Akron for 35 years. He served on the board for The Conservancy for the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and remains active on the education committee for the Cuyahoga Valley Environmental Center. Currently, he is helping start a Northeast Ohio nature prescription program to get people with challenges to become involved in nature for health benefits. Blanda is a board member of Stewart’s Caring Place and Crown Point Ecology Center and volunteers at The Faithful Servants free medical clinic.

This free event will be held in The Lodge at Richfield Heritage Preserve, and is open to the public. For additional information, visit friendsofrhp.org. ∞