Fall, one of the most beautiful times of the year is here. The leaves of the trees change from green to vibrant colors of red, orange, and yellow. The crunchy leaves under my feet give me a sense of peace and joy, time spent outside can increase your physical and mental health in many ways.
Spending 120 minutes in nature every week boosts your health and well-being greatly. It makes no difference if you spend two hours in nature all at once or split the time into daily segments, the benefits still count. Even in areas with no greenery, spending time in sunlight and fresh air may help you feel better in body and spirit.
Our air full of pollution can trigger allergies, asthma, and respiratory diseases, however indoor concentrations of air pollution is two to five times higher than outdoor concentrations. Spending more time in natural green spaces could help lower your risk of respiratory issues.
Our bodies have an internal clock that follows the path of the sun, making you feel awake in the daytime and sleepy at night. The lights in our homes can mimic natural light, but direct sunlight is 200 times more intensity than electric light. When you are exposed to sunlight it may improve your sleep by helping you feel tired at night, decreasing the time it takes to fall asleep, and improves the quality of your rest.
The best thing about sunlight is it costs nothing! Just go outside to get your daily dose, remember, sunlight needs to enter your eyes to affect your circadian rhythm.
Is your mood low and you feel fatigue? Light therapy may help treat depression. If you suffer from seasonal depression, improvement may be noticed after a few days. With major depression, it takes 2-5 weeks to notice improvement. It is unclear why this is effective.
Sunlight can help your body produce vitamin D, that assists in reducing the severity of depression symptoms. Eating lunch outside, reading a book, taking a walk or sun-bathing (use sunscreen), are good ways to get in sun exposure.
Often in good weather I see groups of people working out in the sunlight, that activity can increase your motivation to exercise. I personally choose to take walks in the park versus going to the gym when the weather is good. Taking walks in a park is enjoyable and interesting. It provides an opportunity to socialize with other walkers and is easier than gym workouts.
Other ways to exercise in the sunlight are biking, gardening, or washing your car. Any activity in the sunlight is beneficial.
In our modern world of phones, computers, and flashing screens we sometimes feel overwhelmed, your stress level may increase without you realizing it. Nature can offer a mental and emotional haven when you need to unwind and recharge. The scent of flowers, and birds singing can attract and hold your attention without draining mental energy.
Nature can help you feel relaxed and focused when you take the time to notice your surroundings. Hiking at a slow pace through the woods or spending time on the lake provide relaxation and focus.
Mother nature may boost your immune system, research done in 2021, found spending time in nature decreased your chances of getting the virus that causes Covid19 (SARS-CoV-2). Air circulation dilutes the presence of viruses in the air. It was found the transmission of viruses was 18.7 times higher indoors than outdoors.
Evidence was in a 2020 study, in Taipei, with children ages 9-11, found those who spend lots of time outside have a lower chance of developing nearsightedness. Spending time outside in natural light offers a brighter and richer collection of light wavelengths to see with. Being outdoors lets the eye practice looking at objects from various distances, also the light stimulates the retina to produce dopamine. Dopamine prevents the eyeball from stretching out and warping vision. This benefit affects the eye while it grows, so it affects growing children.
Nature may help relive fear, worry, and sadness, but it may increase good emotions like happiness, peace, and optimism. Going outside at night can also help you feel connected to the world. Gazing upon the moon and stars and focusing on the quiet of the night helps you feel a deeper spiritual connection.
Developing the habit of spending regular time outdoors in nature has multiple benefits and strengthens your bond with the planet and Mother Nature.
Until next time,
Peace, Love, and Blessings ❤️
