Spending time outdoors is a great way to recharge our minds and bodies, even if we're just sitting outside. In fact, many people experience a reduction of stress and anxiety just by taking a stroll around the block or going for a 30 minute bicycle ride. Why does spending time outdoors relax us? There are a number of reasons, all of which suggest that the fresh air has a powerful restorative affect on us.
Spending More Time Outside Slows the Aging Process
The outdoors may provide a key component to those looking for an anti-aging solution. Journal of Aging Health reported on a study that suggested spending more time outdoors can have a positive effect on aging and body deterioration. The study looked how spending time outdoors everyday affected individuals 70 and older. The test group reported fewer aching bones, better sleep, and an overall improved healthy feeling.
Additionally, engaging in an outdoor activity improves mental health, as well as helping to improve physical strength and dexterity. Gardening is one such activity that can be extremely beneficial to the elderly, because it helps them improve social skills and the ability to complete a task boosts their confidence.
Nature Reduces Stress
Many therapists recommend spending time outdoors to patients in need of stress reduction. In fact, this type of wilderness therapy is becoming more and more popular as a means of controlling the stress in our daily lives. There's a reason the outdoors has such a calming effect on us and it has to do with the fresh air we're inhaling.
Breathing is linked to the production of stress hormones. When we're breathing rapidly, our sympathetic nervous system is activated and the body is energized for the "fight or flight" response. Conversely, the type of deep, relaxed breathing people experience while spending outdoors works to relax the body. As we take the time to appreciate nature or lose ourselves in random thought during a hike or a bike ride, stress hormones are reduced and our bodies take a much needed break.
The Outdoors Helps Our Bodies to Heal
When we're healthy and fit, we feel more comfortable with ourselves and more relaxed in a general sense. Research has found that spending time in nature can have a restorative effect on the body, beginning with giving us a steady supply of vitamin D. The sun gives us a steady supply of vitamin D, when we're outdoors, and that can help in lowering the risks of developing osteoporosis, cancer, heart attacks, and even depression.
In one study, it was suggested that the outdoors and sunlight in particular can help us heal faster. The research project involved patients who had recently undergone spinal surgery. The individuals were subjected to natural sunlight and those patients experienced less pain, requiring less pain medications, and exhibited less stress over the recovery process than those who were not exposed to natural light.
Oxygen Helps Improve Mood
Getting fresh air makes us feel good and there's a biological reason for that. Oxygen affects the production of serotonin, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for regulating memory, mood, and social behavior. The brain needs just the right amount of serotonin to regulate our emotions. A surplus of serotonin can leave us feeling on edge and easily angered or annoyed, while a deficit can cause feelings of depression. The oxygen we receive in the outdoors helps to balance those levels and improves our general sense of well being.
Certainly, there are countless benefits to be gained from spending more time enjoying the outdoors. Even just thirty minutes a day can lead us to feeling healthier and more content with our lives. While physical activity is often promoted as essential to a balanced and healthy life, it can be just as important to relax under a tree or go for a walk on the beach. Taking a break from your busy life to smell the roses is more than just a cliché; it can lead to a longer and healthier life.
About The Author
stash member Vincent Stokes
Vincent Stokes is an outdoor enthusiast and an experienced world traveler. He also writes writes for the National Parks and works to promote pride in homegrown travel destinations. (@TravelingGlobal)