How it pays to spend time in nature
Few things can be as distracting as a beautiful day . When the weather outside is welcoming , it can be hard to focus on indoor activities , including work and tasks around the house .
Though it ’ s not advisable to ignore responsibilities at work and at home when the weather outside beckons , it can be beneficial to spend ample time in nature when circumstances allow .
People tend to flock to the great outdoors in spring , summer and fall , and some are even so devoted that they bundle up and head outside throughout winter . Whether they know it or not , people who love to spend time in nature are doing their mental and physical health a lot of good by embracing the great outdoors .
Mental health benefits
The National Alliance of Mental Illness notes that a growing body of research supports the idea that time in nature is good for mental health . A 2015 study from researchers at Stanford University found that people who walked in a natural area for 90 minutes exhibited decreased activity in a region of the brain associated with depression compared to those who walked in high-traffic urban settings .
The United Kingdom-based Mental Health Foundation also touts the mental health benefits of the great outdoors . According to the MHF , research shows that people who are connected with nature are more likely to report their lives are worthwhile than those with no such connectedness . In addition , the MHF notes time in nature has been shown to generate positive emotions , including calmness and joy , and promote greater creativity .
When seeking to capitalize on the mental health benefits of time in nature , people should know that where they spend time outdoors matters . As the Stanford study indicated , time outside in high-traffic urban settings may not produce as profound an effect as time spent in natural settings , like forests , that tend to be more serene . People who live in cities or other densely populated areas can still benefit from time outdoors , but they might experience even greater health gains if they make consistent efforts to spend time in more natural settings .
Physical health benefits
The physical health benefits of time in nature are equally notable . Perhaps the most obvious physical benefit is related to physical activity . People tend to embrace physical activity when spending time in nature . Hiking , jogging , walking , nature-based recreational activities like kayaking , and playing sports like basketball or pickleball all involve physical activity , which can help people avoid the consequences of a sedentary lifestyle , such as an
MEDICAL GUIDE 2024 11 increased risk for chronic diseases . More specifically , the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation notes the physical health benefits of spending time outside include :
• A stronger immune system
• Lower blood pressure
• Increased energy levels
• Improved sleep Each of those benefits contributes to greater overall health , making time outdoors among the more beneficial behaviors a person can embrace .
There ’ s no shortage of benefits to spending time in nature . That ’ s something to keep in mind the next time welcoming weather beckons you to get some fresh air .