It’s universally known that getting out and being active is preferred over a sedentary lifestyle, but it’s not just a general recommendation. Real benefits back it up! From reduced inflammation to lower stress levels, we’ll look at the leading benefits of spending time outdoors.
Spending time in the great outdoors can make your body feel better overall. Inflammation causes muscle and joint discomfort, for which we seek a variety of remedies, from ibuprofen to chiropractor visits. A much simpler strategy is to spend time in nature.
A 2012 study out of China tested 20 subjects, divided into two groups—one sent to the city and the other to the forest for a weekend—and discovered that inflammation levels were lower in the nature group. While more evidence is sure to emerge over time, just think about the potential for this if you’re coping with an injury.
Do you suffer from the annual winter flu? Maybe drawn-out colds affect you more. Worse, serious illnesses are tough to manage. Mitigate these issues by making outdoor time part of your routine.
Qing Li, a scientist in Japan, studied the effects of outdoor activity on immune health. Li pointed out the white blood cell benefits of getting out and getting active, reporting that hiking twice a day for three days boosts white blood cells by 40%, with at least a 15% boost still being present a month later. It’s not realistic for all of us to be on the trail this often, so a key takeaway: make a more extensive nature trip once a month, and visit a park once a week.
Another perk? Being one with nature may help your body to produce more anti-cancer proteins. The effect lasts up to seven days after, which is promising because outdoor therapy could reduce cancer mortality rates.
Mom and dad were right when they said to put down the video games and go outside. Your eyes develop from a young age, so it’s essential to take care of them. Actively engaging with the outdoors can help protect your vision, from youth into adulthood.
Researchers in Taiwan studied the link between nearsightedness and outdoor activity in children at two schools—one promoting outdoor recess and the other avoiding it. The kids who stayed indoors were over twice as likely than those who played outside to be nearsighted.
From an adult perspective, the effects are still pronounced. Do you use a computer for work? Computer Vision Syndrome causes eye redness, headaches and blurry vision, which may be helped by the occasional break outside the office.
Stepping away from a task in favor of a walk outside to recharge isn’t just a stall tactic. Getting out into the sunshine or even nature can help you to refocus.
The
University of Michigan
examined the impact of taking a brief walk in the park as a way to get refreshed. The study found that an hour spent outside in nature—versus on city streets—improved memory and attention span. Weather conditions don’t really matter, either. 25 degree winter or 75 degree summer, the study re
Stress comes from all corners of life, from physical wellness to family and work issues. Why not take advantage of easier ways to obtain relief? Getting outside is proven to settle both your mind and body.
For one thing, being outside promotes the feel-good serotonin in your body, activating feelings of empathy and emotional stability. There’s no doubt about this helping to melt stress away. But just as important, if not more so, are the physical markers of stress. Time and time again, spending time outdoors has been shown to decrease heart rate, blood pressure and cortisol levels (impacting cholesterol).
Clearer mind and healthier body. The outdoors do us wonders. So does relaxing body pampering. Stop into Sewickley Spa for a rejuvenating facial or luxurious massage to put yourself at ease. Schedule your spa visit today.
