How much time have you spent outdoors in the last week? If we had to guess, probably not a lot.
If you are like most Americans, chances are you spend about 90% of your time indoors. It makes sense when you think about it. Between being at the office, commuting, spending time at home, and even going out to eat with friends, few of our day-to-day activities happen outside.
However, spending time outdoors has a lot to offer in terms of physical and psychological well-being. Let’s take a closer look at some of these benefits.
Get Vitamin D Directly From the Source
Sunshine is one of the best sources of vitamin D. Technically speaking, the UV rays from the sun don’t actually contain vitamin D. Instead, the rays are used by your skin to produce this crucial vitamin from scratch.
With that being said, it’s important to remember that while sunshine is good, the UV rays from the sun can also be harmful to your skin. So make sure to protect yourself by dressing appropriately and wearing sunscreen while you’re outside.
Exercise Without Going to the Gym
Typically, being outdoors involves some sort of activity like walking, hiking, or gardening. Because of this, spending more time outside can help you stay active and healthy.
If you want to take it to the next level, you could even find ways to turn your time outside into a proper workout session. Trust us, doing those squats or pushups in the fresh air with beautiful views almost makes the workout feel easier and possibly even more enjoyable.
Improve Your Mood
In the right environment, being outdoors can be an instant mood booster. Research has shown that spending time in nature can help improve the production of “feel-good” hormones like endorphins.
If you ever find yourself feeling down, all you may need is to spend an hour or more outside enjoying the fresh air.
Boost Your Immune System
Your immune system is only as strong as the challenges it is exposed to. This is particularly important for your adaptive immune system, which relies on exposure to new antigens in order to create the proper antibodies. By spending time outdoors, whether around other people or by yourself, your body is exposed to a wide array of new antigens, which ultimately boosts your immunity.
Prevent Cabin Fever
Cabin fever can be incredibly debilitating especially in terms of cognitive function and wellbeing. You may notice that you are struggling to concentrate or having difficulty remembering things. Cabin fever can even result in experiencing a creativity block that may spill over to your work or school performance.
Thankfully, combatting cabin fever can be as simple as spending some extra time outside. You’d be surprised how much a simple change in scenery can help.
Make the Most of Your Time Outside
If outdoor activities aren’t a regular part of your routine, it can be difficult to figure out the best way to spend time outside. Here are a few of our favorite outdoor activities to give you some ideas.
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Work out. Working out outdoors could take any form that you are comfortable with. It can be as simple as a walk around the neighborhood or as adventurous as an afternoon hike through a local forest. You could also research options for outdoor yoga or exercise classes that are available in your area. No matter what route you choose, there is no doubt you will have fun. Plus, it’s a nice way to break up the monotony of your gym or home workouts.
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Garden. Gardening is another great way to make time outdoors fun and productive. The best part is that you can do whatever you want based on the resources you have. It could be anything from a small herb box on your porch to a full blown orchard on your property. No matter where you live, there are plenty of options to explore.
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Visit a local farmer’s market. There is nothing better than stocking up on fresh fruits and vegetables, and it’s even better when you get to do it while soaking up some sunshine. If you don’t know already, find out when the next farmer’s market is and set aside some time to go check it out. You never know what kind of fresh produce or hand-made treasures you will find.
- Read a book or listen to a podcast. If you would rather relax outdoors, you could find a nice bench or patch of grass and indulge in a book or listen to a podcast. Either way, you will be able to soak up some sunshine, enjoy some fresh air, and give your mind a break from the hustle and bustle of your usual daily routine.
It’s Time To Get Outside
Here at New Earth, we understand that it’s important to find balance in all aspects of your life in order to take care of both your physical and mental well-being. Spending more time outdoors stands out as one of the many strategies that can help you do just that. That’s why we consider it part of living the #NewEarthLife.
So what are you waiting for? It’s time to slip on some shoes, grab your sunglasses and head out into the great outdoors.