18/07/2018
How Spending Time in Nature Can Improve Your Health & Morale
Between work and family commitments, finding time to relax is always a challenge, to say nothing of finding time to develop healthy habits.
Luckily, it turns out that an important step in leading a healthier and happier lifestyle is simply getting outside and taking advantage of the great outdoors. You don’t even need to travel that far--yes, it’s as simple as stepping out into your own backyard.
Nature’s Long-term Benefits: Easing Stress, Fatigue and Anxiety
Trees, grass, fresh air and, most important of all, sunshine, are things that we’re liable to miss out on if we forget to step outside occasionally, and that’d be a shame considering how beneficial a little time in nature can be for your mood and your mind. Research shows that nature walks can improve working memory by up to 20% compared to walks in urban environments. Even something as simple as a view of nature from an office window can reduce stress levels and decrease mental fatigue. Spending time in green spaces has also been shown to boost self-esteem and improve mood, and is often recommended to people dealing with anxiety and depression.
An Important Part of your Kid’s Life
In addition to helping you keep your mind sharp and your morale up, spending time outside is essential for physical fitness. But kids in particular stand to benefit from being outdoors. It’s recommended that children spend anywhere between one and two hours exercising or playing outside every day. Doing so helps them develop their immune systems, prevent or slow down the progression of near-sightedness and even help them focus better. Adults also benefit from outside time, as it’s been shown to help lower blood pressure and reduce inflammation. So, pick up that baseball mitt or dust off the bikes and go on an adventure with the whole family!
