Spending time outside is essential to your mental and physical health. Once you make the choice to step out the door, you will be greeted with a multitude of health benefits. If you continue on with this as part of your daily routine, you will not only make a difference in your present moment but it will benefit you long term.
What are the benefits of spending time outside?
There are many benefits of spending time outside, but let’s start with some of my favorites…
- Stepping away from your “glowing device” helps give your eyes a break.
- Stepping into nature helps create overall better brain function. And since 20% of the intake of oxygen is used for brain function…why not take in fresh air?!
- Stepping outside uses the stimulus of many of your senses to process information and can keep our awareness sharp.
- Stepping forward with a short walk, run, stretching or any kind of workout is not only a free way to get the body moving, but it’s a super way to help blood flow, improve cardiovascular health, lower blood pressure and burn calories.
- Stepping into the light triggers our body to make serotonin and without it, we begin to produce more melatonin. During the day, we can help boost our energy with a dose of natural light.
- Stepping outside with sunscreen on is a naturally easy way to absorb some Vitamin D which helps our skeletal, cardiovascular, neurological, and immune systems.
- Stepping towards a better mood is right outside, in nature. Lowering your cortisol levels, which is triggered by stress and anxiety, helps to chase the blues away. Spending some time outside boosts endorphin levels and dopamine production, which promotes happiness. So, go grab a little energy from the earth.
Some things to keep in mind for your outdoor adventure
The activity you choose will determine how long you will be outside, but keep in mind that an accumulated 20-30 minutes over the course of a day is the recommended amount to receive all of the benefits of being outdoors. Being outside helps the body and the mind, but don’t forget to pause and use your time outdoors to help fill the soul with gratitude for the beauty in nature.
Dress appropriately for the weather, and make choices that will keep you comfortable, and refresh your mind, body, and soul outside.
