Turning vacant parking lots into parks can have a positive impact on the mental health of residents living nearby, according to a new study.

A study conducted by researchers in Philadelphia took a closer look at what kind of impact turning a vacant lot into a green space would have on members of the nearby community.

A total of 342 participants provided feedback for the study which has been published by the JAMA Network.

According to the researchers, there was a 62.8 percent reduction in the number of people who reported that they had poor mental health among those who were living near one of the converted parking lots.

Furthermore, the study also showed that 41.5 percent of the participants said that they felt less depressed after the vacant lots were transformed into green spaces.

The findings of the study could even help to at least partially explain why socioeconomic disparities remain persistent among people who say they have poor mental health.

Cindy Chang, the executive director for Groundwork Colorado, says she’s not surprised by the findings of the study. According to Chang, the study “confirmed what we see on a daily basis with the communities we work with,” 9news.com reported.

Chang added, “Green spaces have historically been a privilege in a neighborhood so we’re just trying to turn that around by making sure every neighborhood gets…

People have different reasons for why they work out, and the ideal time for exercising depends on what those goals are.

In an article for Quick and Dirty Tips, fitness coach Brock Armstrong offered some insight and provided some information that sheds light on how people could better customize their workout plans according to what they are trying to achieve.

First off, Armstrong shared a discussion he had with a fellow fitness coach who provided a scientifically-backed argument which suggests that working out some time in the late afternoon or early evening is ideal because it enables people to gain a bigger fitness boost. This is due to bodies hitting their peak temperatures around that time of the day.

Armstrong added that exercising within that window of time will allow people to put in the highest intensity workout sessions.

However, Armstrong himself is someone who prefers exercising in the morning, and that has benefits too.

Many coaches and trainers subscribe to the line of thinking that working out early in the morning produces the best results for people simply trying to shed pounds, he noted.

He also prefers working out in the morning because it frees him up to carry on with the rest of his tasks without stressing about missing a session.

The “ultimate combination” is going through aerobic exercises in the morning and then taking part in high intensity training in the afternoon, Armstrong said.

However, if setting aside that much time for exercise is unrealistic, some studies suggest that simply sticking to a consistent workout schedule can do…

Chick-fil-A, the fast food chain that has its roots firmly planted in the state of Georgia, is now planning to spread its wings and venture into international territory.

The company recently announced its plans to open its first international restaurants in Toronto, Ontario, Canada next year.

Specifically, the expansion plan calls for at least 15 new branches to be opened within the city of Toronto over the next five years, with the very first one expected to welcome customers within the first half of 2019. The company also says that each new branch will lead to the creation of 50 to 75 new jobs in their respective locations.

At the moment, the company is already recruiting operators who will handle their new branches in the Greater Toronto Area.

Tim Tassopoulos, president and Chief Operating Officer for Chick-fil-A Incorporated, authored a message directed to the citizens of Toronto regarding the chain’s impending move there.

According to Tassopoulos, the company has had its sights set on making a move into the Canadian city for a while now because they “believe Toronto is one of the best and most vibrant cities in North America.”

He added, “We are looking forward to putting down real roots and becoming a part of this dynamic and diverse city.”

Tassopoulos also revealed that their decision to open their first international location in Toronto is not one they reached on a whim, as they have spent plenty of time researching…