5 Reasons To Get Outdoors More Often

Learn about the benefits of spending more time outdoors and find out how to make it a permanent part of your lifestyle.

Introduction

With the planet becoming increasingly urbanized by the day, humans are spending less and less time outdoors. In fact, the average American spends 90% of their time inside buildings and other enclosed spaces.

This lack of contact with nature can have far-reaching implications in terms of our physical and mental health. To counteract this trend, we need to make an effort to make time for the outdoors and enjoy its benefits on a regular basis.

Here are five reasons why you should get outdoors more often:

1. Improved Mental Health

Exposure to sunshine and fresh air does wonders for mental wellbeing. Studies have found that spending time in nature can improve mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and even prevent seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

Spending time outdoors can also help us to unplug from the constant stream of stimuli from our digital devices and reconnect with ourselves. This can help to foster a sense of calmness and clarity that can be hard to find in our often hectic lives.

2. Get Active

The lack of physical activity in our lives is now considered to be one of the main threats to public health globally, with millions of people suffering from various diseases caused by lack of exercise.

Getting outdoors more often can help you stay active, as there are always plenty of recreational activities you can try like hiking, biking, swimming and so on. Being physically active is essential for staying healthy and keeping various diseases at bay.

3. Appreciate Nature

Spending time outdoors and exploring nature can open up our eyes to the beauty and the fragility of our planet. We can appreciate natural spaces more and get a better understanding of how our lifestyles impact the environment.

4. Bond With Loved Ones

Spending time outdoors is a great way to connect with your family and friends. Whether you’re playing a game of Frisbee in the park or having a picnic on the beach, enjoying the simple pleasures of nature can be a great way to bring people closer together.

5. Connect With Yourself

Making time for yourself is just as important as connecting with loved ones, and spending time outdoors is one of the most effective ways to do so. Nature can be a great place to meditate and reflect on life, or simply to gather your thoughts and clear your mind.

Conclusion

These five are only a few of the many benefits of spending more time outdoors. Everything from improved physical health to improved mental health can be gained from getting outside more often.

It doesn’t have to be hard either—even something as small as a short walk in the park can give you a much-needed break and help you reconnect with yourself and nature.