Bartlett Regional | House Calls | Spring 2019

“ Getting outside on a trail, on a mountaintop, or on the water is one of the best ways to open up Juneau and really get the most out of living here,” says City and Borough of Juneau Wellness Coordinator Jess Brown. On a gorgeous summer day last year, Brown led some Bartlett staff on a hike up to the Dan Moller cabin on Douglas Island. Here’s what some of the hikers had to say about why they like getting outside and how it is good for their health. Bartlett Regional Hospital staff share their thoughts on the benefits of hiking Laveda Loose, AdministrationClerk, SameDay Surgery “ It’s good for the mind. It’s good for the body. When I am feeling down, I take a walk down by a creek, taking pictures along the way. I come back home with a better perspective. I think winter hiking is some of the best. There’s no mud. Christina Michel, Speech-Language Pathologist “ I go out on the trails as much as I can. I know people who experience emotional distress, depression. And I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to get out and be active, get some endorphins. This is where you run away to not be stressed. It is breathtaking. Mary Szczepanski, Registered Nurse “ Being outdoors and connecting to nature improves our mental health. Our lives can be complicated and stressful. I may wonder: ‘Should I have done this first, should I be doing that, is this taking too long?’ But when I am out in nature, everything is just the way it needs to be. I always feel like I am in the right place at the right time. GET OUTSIDE! Leann Dapcevich, Operating RoomNurse “ This is refreshing. My mind is clear. When you’re up here, you don’t have any distractions. I don’t even have a gym membership. We have so many great trails here. Get out and enjoy what we have. 12 House Calls Spring 2019