Studies show that the environment we are in can influence our mental state and in turn our overall well-being. Spending time outdoors in an open green space or amongst nature can have significant health benefits according to scientific studies. Such benefits include lowering of blood pressure and levels of the stress hormone cortisol. This post looks at The Therapeutic Benefits of Being Outdoors and shows you why you need to make the most of your garden, local parks, and other larger open green spaces and forests.
The Therapeutic Benefits of Being Outdoors
Benefits to Mental Health
The Therapeutic Benefits of Being Outdoors vary. Spending time outdoors can affect our emotional and physical state. Studies have shown positive benefits in subjects spending time in green open spaces. It’s a great excuse to spend more time outdoors enjoying nature especially if you suffer from anxiety or depression. Being outdoors allows the mind to unwind, lowers overall stress levels, and improves mood.
SAD or Seasonal Affective Disorder
SAD is a form of depression. It manifests most in the winter due to the reduced light. Suffers experience a loss of interest in things they once enjoyed, feeling sad, low, tearful, worthless, irritability, lethargy etc. Spending time outdoors during the day can help reduce the severity of these symptoms and can be as simple as sitting in a garden. Regular exercise during the day is advised as it can help reduce symptoms. For other tips on how to cope with Seasonal Affective Disorder straight from a Psychotherapist, check out The Awareness Centre’s detailed post.
But, How Does it Do This?
It is thought that the reduced exposure to sunlight during winter and autumn affects the hypothalamus (part of the brain) which has a knock-on effect. Seratonin is a hormone that is thought to affect our mood. There is a link between low levels of this hormone and feeling depressed. Our body clock is also affected by reduced light over winter. We are not woken up by natural sunlight and the result is a disturbance in the natural body clock and therefore symptoms of SAD. There is a disruption of melatonin production during winter months leading to higher levels and an increased feeling of tiredness. The obvious answer, increase exposure to daylight which will increase the production of serotonin and reduce the production of melatonin and result in reduced symptoms of SAD.
Physical Benefits
As well as relaxing the mind and reducing stress, exposure to green spaces can reduce the risk of conditions such as high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes according to the University of East Anglia. Elsewhere, it has also been shown that getting children outdoors often can protect them from developing nearsightedness although it does not slow down the progression. Daily exposure of 2 hours a day may have preventative measures. Those living in greener areas or with high exposure to green space will often have good general health.
Vitamin D
This vitamin isn’t found in high levels in the food we eat. Our bodies produce vitamin D when exposed to sunlight. It’s necessary to help promote healthy bone growth, it has antiviral effects especially when it comes to enveloped viruses. Intake of this vitamin is protective against heart disease and high blood pressure. It also reduces the risk of diabetes, some cancers and also multiple sclerosis.
Fresh Air
We don’t really think about chemical build-up within the home. At times your home can contain more toxic chemicals than the air outside? It’s important to get those windows open and get that fresh air in over the summer and winter. Of course, getting outside can also mean you get fresh air depending on where you go. Try to get out even for a little each day to a nice green area, even a local park will do if you don’t have a garden or use of a communal garden. This will increase your oxygen intake, boost serotonin and make you feel happier.
The Sound of Nature
Would you believe the meer sound of the outdoors, think birds singing, crickets, leaves rustling, running water can have an incredibly calming effect on the mind. Many will find the sounds soothing. They help relax the mind and reduce stress levels.
The Smell of Nature
Who doesn’t love aromatherapy! There is plenty of scientific research to show that aromatherapy has a therapeutic effect on the mind. The smell of nature, think fir trees, flowers, etc rather than those from a local dairy farm has been shown to lower psychological stress. They can also improve memory, ease anxiety and depression, boost confidence and more.
Forest Bathing
This is a popular therapy in Japan and one that can reduce stress and promote mindfulness. It’s simply “absorbing the forest atmosphere”. A study showed that spending time amongst trees promotes lower concentrations of the stress-producing hormone cortisol, therefore, reducing stress levels, elevating the mood, improves sleep, energy levels, and reducing blood pressure.
In addition, being in natural areas promotes exposure to a diverse range of bacteria which has positive benefits to the immune system. Japanese research shows that organic chemical compounds released by trees called phytoncides might be the reason for the health boost often experienced by those that take part in forest bathing. The reason for this is that these chemicals have antibacterial properties.
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Boosting of Children’s Immunity
Kids love getting to go outside and play and many parents will encourage this. Playing outside exposes children to different things that will help them build up a natural resistance. Those brought up in a clean environment with no exposure to any infective materials and not allowed to play outdoors will be more susceptible to infection.
To Summarise
It’s highly beneficial to make use of outdoor spaces and get yourself and your family outdoors as often as possible. There are marked health benefits in spending time outdoors so grab the kids or partner and head outside to enjoy the best nature has to offer.
Were you aware of The Therapeutic Benefits of Being Outdoors? How often do you get to go outside and explore and enjoy nature?
Other Posts You Might Like:
https://melaniesfabfinds.co.uk/household/extending-your-living-area-outdoors/
https://melaniesfabfinds.co.uk/beauty/fun-outdoors-exercise-ideas/
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There truly are so many benefits to being outdoors. I love getting out and about as often as I possibly can.
Wow! Interesting read. I had idea of SAD. I know there are amazing benefits of being outdoor though. One gets to enjoy the breeze, have some quiet and just relax. It’s amazing.
I totally agree with all the benefits mentioned of being outdoors. Our environment can truly influence our mental and physical well-being! Nice post.
I couldn’t agree more. The sounds of leaves and running is so calming.
Being outdoors is truly a wonderful therapeutic experience. I love to go on walks with my hubby and children and just breathe.
That’s why I really love being with the nature. Nice article.
All of the above. A couple of hours in the garden reading and relaxing does wonders, especially in summer with the sun out.
Yeah fresh air. It’s so therapeutic. It’s mainly the reason why I love going out every now and then.
Forest bathing sounds interesting. I never thought about the therapeutic effect it could have.
It’s not really something we think about but works well.
I totally agree with this, it is beneficial in so many ways to be outdoors, when the kids were little luckily they loved being outdoors and we used to go out and about and have so much fun
It’s something we all need to do as much as possible. An open space in a park or somewhere green can really help boost us mentally.
I definitely find when I make an effort to go for a walk, or even go and stand in the garden the fresh air makes me feel so much better than being stuck indoors x
It really can help clear you head and make you feel better.
I have always felt more at peace outside than I ever have indoors. These are great for people to know about. I can’t help but smile when I see wildlife, no matter how I am feeling mentally.
It’s amazing how much better it can make you feel!
I am all about getting time outdoors and doing better for myself. It helps me in so many ways.
Being outdoor has immeasurable benefits. And how it gives you the opportunity to meet people and appreciate nature is just awesome
I agree with all of these especially getting fresh air. I grew up in the city and sometimes the pollution is just too much. Good thing my parents exposed me early in life and until now, I still enjoy exploring the outdoors – I love climbing mountains and going to the beach. It’s an addiction!
Being outdoors takes your mind off so much. Spending time by yourself makes you relax, think less and even come up with new ideas.
I always try to get out each day especially when the weather is this nice! That’s what I hate most about winters. So important to get outdoors though for your mind and body!
Ah, yes. I completely agree with you that being outdoors is really a great way to clear your mind and relieve yourself from stress.
Going for a walk always improves my mindset! I need to get outside more often!
This is something that we need right now. Series of lockdowns and quarantines have taken a toll on us both in physical and mental aspects. So, going outdoors is definitely one of the best therapy anyone could go for healing.
Nature is one of my favourite serenity therapies! A walk outdoors helps in many ways. Just breathing fresh air and looking at trees have a great effect.
It really is lovely isn’t it! We all need to get out there, explore and have a break from screens and being indoors.
Nature is so beautiful and healing! It is so nice to take breaks from screens and appreciate the outdoors. Loved this post!
vitamin D, fresh air, sounds, smells and general relaxation is very important to me
I feel being outdoors really “resets” me if I am in a bad mood or have writers block. It’s amazing what nature can do!
Nature is therapeutic and relaxing. The more we connect to the nature the more we grow and learn. I completely agree with you that it is nature that helps enhance child’s immunity.
I couldn’t agree with this anymore , being outside is one of the best forms of therapy !
It can really have an impact on mental health.
outdoors is always a great opportunity for me. I enjoy it a lot and try to be outdoors as often as possible. This year I set it as my goal to be outdoors more and so far I am killing it
Yaaayyyy that’s great to hear. I need to get the kids outside. Letting them use their scooters and bikes works well.
We love being outdoors. I always feel so much better when I have the fresh air on my skin.
I know what you mean. It’s nice to be outdoors in open space.
Love the idea of forest bathing! Getting outdoors definitely does wonders for my spirit, and it just feels good to get out and active when it’s not too hot.
It sure does. You’ll find that with the shade the woods or forests can be much cooler and great to walk though x
Amazing and really helpful blog. Learned a lot of stuff. Keep up the amazing work. Live long and Prosper.
Thanks so much. I’m glad you enjoyed the post x
Cant neat the freedom of the great outdoors – food for the mind body and soul
That’s very true x
I completely agree that the sounds of the outdoors can be calming and relieve stress. This year and last we have had birds nesting in our garden and it’s fantastic to hear the parents flying past our heads to get to the nests. Also to hear the chirping of the chicks. Last year we added a small pond (very small, it’s in an old belfast sink) and the trickle of the water from the solar fountain also make me feel very calm.
I love the outdoors walking and camping Thanks for sharing
Me too, being outside is really good for all of us.
It just makes absolute sense, doesn’t it, to get outside in the fresh air,away from traffic and the stresses of life? There is so much science to support this, I don’t think you can argue any sort of case against it. A large proportion of the population are Vitamin D deficient, simply because this country doesn’t get enough sunshine.
I always feel so much better after being out doors. Even if it means just sitting out in the garden. Being disabled i struggle to get out and about so my garden is important to me
It can really help clear and relax the mind.
We love being outdoors, it’s healthy and free!
Ha, yes it is also free!
I find myself spending more and more time outdoors, especially in summer. Especially love watching bees and butterflies on the flowers and birds pecking for seeds..
It is lovely isn’t it and so relaxing!
I’ve always found that a walk along the seafront makes me feel better. Turns out that that’s science! The negative ions in sea air boost your absorptionof oxygen, and they can have a positive effect on your serotonin levels – that’s the hormone associated with your mood!
Fantastic article and really brings home why its so good to be outside, we always take our daughter out as much as possible to give her the benefits
That’s really good to hear. There are so many benefits and so many don’t go outside enough.
We love being outdoors as a family, we are lucky where we live as we have fields, the sea and woods all within a 10 minute walk.
Oh wow, it sounds great there!
Completely agree. We should never underestimate the benefits of simply getting outside!
It’s great the positive effects it can have on us all.
Going outdoors is one of the simple things that instantly makes you feel better