Some Benefits of Being Outside
Don’t let the heat scare you from getting outside! The days are already getting shorter, and, before you know it, we’ll be in the dead of winter scraping ice off our windshields. So, make sure to enjoy the benefits of some outdoor time while the sun is still high in the sky and the weather is still warm.
It is no mystery that getting outside helps improve various aspects of your health, but what exactly are those benefits? Well, studies have shown that at least 120 minutes of outdoor time improves mental health and decreases stress levels.(4) You are also more likely to exercise just by virtue of walking outside. Further, getting out in the sunshine can increase Vitamin D production. Vitamin D is essential to calcium production and use in the body and it helps improve immune system function as well.(6)
The mental health benefits of spending time outside include improved mood and stress relief. Outdoor time can also improve concentration and help you be more creative. These benefits are found from spending even as little as 15 minutes a day outside.(5) Being outside, even for such a small amount of time provides for a break in directed attention. Directed attention is when you are focused on doing something, such as work or staring at your phone screen. Involuntary attention allows you to be more present in your surroundings and serves as a rest from directed attention, making the next time you need to use your directed attention a little stronger than if you had not taken a break.(3)
Going for a short walk is a spectacular way to get some physical activity in and enjoy the benefits of the outdoors. Time these walks for sunrise or sunset to see some stunning colors, more active wildlife, and avoid the heat of the day. Walking can also take your mind off stressing matters by providing ever changing scenery. Going for a walk in your neighborhood or a nearby park can give you chance to speak to your neighbors and catch up, helping increase your connection to your community. Because humans are social creatures, having these community connections can also help improve mental health. If you find you have pain preventing you from enjoying a walk outside, come see the movement experts at Spine and Sports Rehabilitation to get back to enjoying pain-free movement!
Along with a break in attention, some screenless outside time can give your eyes a break. Staring at screens for extended periods of time can lead to general eye strain and dry eyes. For children, this outside time can help protect from myopia, or short-sightedness.(7) Getting away from your screens gives your eyes some time to reset and relax. This allows your eyes to be prepared to work hard again when you get restarted on work.
If it is unsafe for you to get outside, do not worry, you can get many stress reducing benefits from exercise in general. Just a few minutes a day on a stationary bike, treadmill, or even simple movement can give you these benefits. If you have pain or you don’t know where to start, come see one of our experts at Spine and Sports Rehabilitation Center to achieve all your movement goals!
Getting outside if you are able is extremely important. If you MUST be looking at a screen, being outside when you do so may be helpful. However, it is much better to go outside with the purpose of attending to your surroundings. Going with this goal in mind allows you to catch a break in the non-stop flow of life. Be sure to check out our other blog posts about hydration and protection from the sun to fully enjoy your outdoor experience. So, get outside and enjoy the world right in front of you, before winter returns!
Always check with your physician if you have underlying medical conditions that may be contraindications for exercise.
Sources and Info:1. Avitt, A, The Wellness Benefits of the Great Outdoors, Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture (2021), https://www.fs.usda.gov/features/wellness-benefits-great-outdoors#:~:text=Studies%20also%20show%20that%20being,risk%20factors%20for%20cardiovascular%20disease2. Friedman, L, and Loria, K, 11 Reasons You should Go Outside, Business Insider (2014), https://www.businessinsider.com/11-reasons-you-should-go-outside-2014-43. Swaim, Emily, Health Benefits of Being Outdoors, Healthline (2022), https://www.healthline.com/health/health-benefits-of-being-outdoors4. White MP, et al. (2019). Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature is associated with good health and wellbeing. nature.com/articles/s41598-019-44097-35. Twohig-Bennett C, et al. (2018). The health benefits of the great outdoors: A systematic review and meta-analysis of greenspace exposure and health outcomes. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6562165/6. Vitamin D Fact Sheet for Health Professionals, The National Institutes of Health (2022), https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/vitamind-healthprofessional/7. Wu, Pei-Chang, et al., Outdoor Activity During Class Recess Reduces Myopia Onset and Progression in School Children, Ophthalmology (2013), https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0161642012010755