Outdoor Importance

If you’re a nature lover like I am, you’ll be pleased to know that the more time you spend outdoors the better your quality of life becomes. It may sound silly but being outside boosts your mood significantly. If you don’t believe me, think back to a time in your life when you were overly stressed out. We all have different escapes from these mentally draining moments, and mine is the beach. Yours might be the top of a mountain, or a hiking trail, or a field of your favorite flowers.  

Regardless of what makes you subconsciously happy when outdoors, just know that taking the time to visit these places will boost your serotonin levels and decrease your levels of cortisol. This will leave you happier and less stressed.  

Not only does the sun provide us with vitamin D, which can help reduce the risk of health concerns like depression, osteoporosis, and even cancer, but it also aids in lowering blood pressure. Research shows that a little sunlight can work wonders. The nitric oxide in your skin is activated by the sun’s rays, which in turn widens your blood vessels and allows things to flow more freely. This can also help reduce inflammation, and the risk of heart attack and stroke.  

The relaxing environment that nature provides is a good way to ward off any existing illnesses also. From ADHD to diabetes, getting outdoors can help reduce your symptoms. This is not only caused by your freedom seeking mindset when you’re out there, but also by the contribution that the plants and trees around you are making to the environment.  

Research has shown that the phytoncides that plants are known to produce increase the production of white blood cells, which are the same ones that fight off infections. For this reason alone, nature helps us heal quicker, but again there are many other benefits that come alongside this one.  

Many people struggle to find a sound sleep schedule. This is an ongoing problem ranging between every age group from babies to the elderly. The good news is that being outdoors can help reset your body’s internal clock, which in turn can help to reset your body’s sleep-wake cycle, also known as the circadian rhythm.  

Cells in your eyes require light to get your body on a schedule. Early morning sunlight has been particularly helpful in getting people to sleep better at night.  

While this is known to be effective for people of all ages, it may become more crucial as you get older. The older we get, the less capable our eyes are of absorbing light, so it has been proven to be extra beneficial for people over the age of 65.  

Not only does being outdoors naturally help you burn more calories, it also supports graceful aging. While lowering blood pressure and naturally healing your already existing ailments, adults have reported that spending time outdoors has decreased aches and pains, and increased mobility as well as the motivation to complete day to day tasks.  

Last, but certainly not least, the mental health benefits from spending time in nature have been proven time and again to work wonders. When you’re outdoors you naturally relax, letting your mind wander, and it encourages for more creativity to come later. By giving your mind a break, you’re helping it to expand, which will improve your focus once you get back to work. So those few minutes you spend on the patio between tasks really matter. That smoke break that has you daydreaming on the park bench, it matters. Taking five minutes to walk to your mailbox when your emails begin to overwhelm you, go ahead, and take your time!  

The amount of stress relief found in nature just goes to show you that this planet is the most powerful healer. Procedures, prescriptions, therapy, none of it compares to what this Earth is capable of providing for us, physically and mentally. Taking a moment to decompress can have you feeling better for hours, maybe even days.  

The feeling you get when all your anxiety is escaping your body, more and more with each deep breath of fresh air you take, nothing beats that. Not to mention being outdoors has been linked to people having a higher self-esteem, this being especially effective when you spend time near the water. Maybe that’s why the beach is my favorite place to be.  

Aside from all it’s wonderful health benefits, there are some personal benefits as well. Hiking, biking, nature walks and other outdoor activities can also be a good time for social hour. If you have friends who enjoy the same hobbies, team up and do it together, hold each other accountable, make it a routine.  

The outdoors also helps to boost your creativity. Whether you’re suffering from writer’s block or you can’t figure out the next step in your big project, taking a breather outdoors can help to open your mind, let it wander, and unlock ideas that may not have come to you while sitting behind your desk.  

Overall, spending at least two hours in nature each week will boost your life satisfaction, and your general appreciation for life. It doesn’t have to be all at once or spaced evenly throughout the week. It just needs to be a priority, make the time for nature to work its magic on you and you’ll surely see the results. With all these amazing benefits, it’s hard to argue that a little extra time outside should’t be made a priority. Trying to fit this in your schedule can change your life drastically.  

Seeing nature take its course makes you realize there’s a whole world revolving out there, even when yours might seem to be crumbling, and taking a moment to see the bigger picture can help you to sort out your own things. I don’t know about you, but I can’t help but be amazed and inspired by nature each time I step outside.