5 Benefits of Spending Time Outdoors
How Outdoors Can Bring Positive Changes to Your Body & Brain and How to Make the Most of Your Time in Nature
Humans have always been connected to nature. For centuries, we have depended on the sun, the water, and the land to sustain us. Even in modern times, with all of the technological advances we have made, we still rely on nature to provide us with the things we need to live.
The earth has music for those who listen.
William Shakespeare
There is no denying that spending time in nature can positively impact our physical and mental health. There are so many benefits of inviting mother nature into your life.
Here are five:
Reduces risk of breast cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer is the second most common cancer in women in the United States. While many factors contribute to the development of cancer, new research suggests that walking may help to reduce the risk of breast cancer. In a recent study, women who walked at least seven hours per week had a 14% lower risk of developing breast cancer than those who walked for less than one hour per week. Walking is thought to lower the risk of breast cancer by reducing levels of estrogen in the body. Estrogen is a hormone that has been linked to the development of cancerous tumors. Therefore, by walking regularly, women can help to reduce their level of estrogen and lower their risk of developing breast cancer.
Improves your cognitive function
It’s no secret that spending time in nature can be good for your physical health, but did you know that it can also improve your cognitive function? Numerous studies have shown that walking in nature can help to increase attention span, reduce stress levels, and improve memory. In one study, participants who took a nature walk showed significantly improved performance on a memory test compared to those who walked in an urban area.
Reduces stress and lowers blood pressure
Stress is a common ailment of modern life, and it takes a toll on our physical and mental health. Chronic stress can lead to high blood pressure, anxiety, depression, and a host of other problems. Recent research found that just 20 minutes of walking in a natural setting can lower blood pressure by 5.8% and cortisol levels by 13.4%. The effects of this brief nature walk were found to be long-lasting, with participants reporting lower levels of anxiety and stress even 24 hours after their walk.
Better fitness
Summer is around the corner, which means many of us will work on our beach bodies.
Not only is spending time in nature good for your mental health, but it can also help you to meet your fitness goals. Taking 10,000 steps per day can help you to burn 400–500 calories. That’s equivalent to a brisk walk of approximately 30 minutes. If you’re struggling to hit that target, there are now many apps and wearable devices that can help to motivate you. For example, I am using the free app Sweatcoin. Sweatcoin rewards you with its cryptocurrency for every 1,000 steps that you take. You can’t swap those coins for other cryptocurrencies or fiat money, but you can use them on their marketplace which offers many other consumer goods and services. So spending time in nature improves your physical health, but it could also give you a little financial boost.
If you are keen to try Sweatcoin I am inviting you to use my referral link.
Increases creativity and new ideas
Ideas are the lifeblood of any writer. Without them, there would be nothing to say. However, coming up with new ideas can sometimes be a challenge. This is where nature can come in handy. Being in nature has been shown to boost creativity and inspiration. The fresh air and relaxed atmosphere help to clear the mind and open up new possibilities. In addition, observing the natural world can provide a source of new ideas. For example, watching a bird build a nest might inspire a story about someone who is struggling to find their place in the world. So next time you’re struggling to come up with something new, take a walk in the park and see what inspiration nature has to offer.
To take advantage of those benefits here are five steps on how to make the most of your time outdoors:
- Get outside every day, if possible. Even just a few minutes of fresh air can make a difference.
- Make an effort to spend time in green spaces. Studies have shown that being around plants and trees can have a calming effect.
- Take advantage of nice weather. Get out and go for a walk, hike, or bike ride.
- Unplug from technology. Spend some time each day disconnecting from screens and devices.
- Connect with nature. Be in the moment and appreciate the beauty of the natural world around you.
Conclusion
Nature has a way of making us feel happier. When we are outside, we are surrounded by the sights and sounds of nature, which can help us relax and de-stress. As a result, we can even sleep better at night.
The Japanese mastered the art of being outdoors. They call it “shinrin yoku”. It means forest bathing. It’s described as absorbing everything with your senses while walking mindfully through a park, forest, or any other natural place.
So, if you feel stressed and anxious at the moment about what’s going on in the world, step outside and be present with mother nature.
To continue reading about how you can improve your well-being by spending time in nature check out the article by Jim Robbins published by YaleEnvironment360.
