“"A walk in nature walks the soul back home.” ”
- Mary Davis

Modern life has made it so much easier to become “an indoor cat” than an outdoor one. We spend our days shuffling our lives like a Spotify playlist from computer screen to TV and to late-night phone scrolling in bed, which has led to less time spent being around nature. 

We have so often heard the saying “A dog is a man's best friend”, you know who else is our best friend? It's nature! Just spending an hour every day outdoors along with a cup of your favourite coffee or reading your favourite book could help you relax. Spending time outdoors has proven to boost both your mental as well as physical health. 

According to a study done in 2019, which comprised 19,806 participants, it was found that spending ≥120 minutes a week in nature can significantly improve the well-being of an individual. It can be a 2-hour long walk, time spent in the fresh air and sunlight, growing flowers or food, exercising outdoors or being around animals can have a positive impact on the overall well-being. 

Photo by  Noah Buscher Team  on  Unsplash

Benefits of Spending Time Outside 

Improved Sleep: The circadian rhythm of your body follows the natural clock, and you start feeling sleepy when it gets darker. Exposing yourself to early morning sunlight seems to help improve sleep at night, can reduce the time it takes to fall asleep and helps you feel more tired at night

Improve Physical Wellness: Getting out in nature to exercise, bike or walk can help you keep a healthy weight and body. It also helps in controlling the cortisol levels, lowers the risk of heart disease, cancer and other cardiovascular diseases and increases Vitamin D levels which further boosts the immune system and strengthens the bones. 

Improvement in Cognitive Functions: Spending time in nature has a significant impact on our thinking, reasoning and other mental abilities. Being around nature can help us relax and provide an escape from our busy lives, which can improve our creativity and concentration. 

 Enhanced Mental Health Functioning: Regular exposure to green spaces has been shown to enhance the overall well-being of an individual. Outdoor time can help reduce unwanted or painful emotions like anxiety, sadness, fear and worry. Even just five minutes spent feeling the cool fresh air on your face can boost your mood and give rise to happy emotions. Exposure to natural light has been shown to boost serotonin levels, which can especially benefit individuals dealing with seasonal affective disorder.

 Mental Restoration: Today’s era is filled with overstimulation from flashing screens, busy roads, traffic and vibrating phones which can increase our cortisol levels. The nature on the other hand can offer an emotional and mental break to allow our minds to rejuvenate. 

Fosters Social Connection: Your social life can also improve by spending time outdoors as you try to interact with others and have positive social experiences, which boosts your self-esteem and self-confidence.

Photo by  Joshua Earle Team  on  Unsplash

Being in nature or even viewing nature scenes significantly reduces fear, anger and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Exposure to nature can also help one cope with having fun in nature

Even Therapists these days recommend ecotherapy or nature therapy which falls under the umbrella term of nature prescription that includes - eating fruits and vegetables, healthy sleep habits and holding sessions out in nature, park prescriptions and wilderness or adventure therapy. Plenty of research evidence shows the healing power of walking in the woods. ‘Forest Bathing’ - A Japanese practice of immersing yourself in a natural setting completely with all five senses and letting nature relax you. 

There is an urgency in fostering the connection between humans and nature, as not inky with people benefit from this connection but also the natural world. When people feel connected to nature, they care more about climate change, endangered species, loss of habitat and the planet in general. On the other hand, when people are disconnected from nature, they are not driven to care for Mother Nature and do not contribute to the nature that nurtures us. 

Make Time to Go Outside Today 

Exercise outdoors: Exercising can include anything from riding a bicycle to going for a walk or a swim. Get your body moving in a natural environment

Visit a Park: Go to your local park to de-stress. Rejuvenate and improve your mental well-being.

Tend to your garden: Many people find gardening to be extremely relaxing and soothing. You can start by simply watering your plants, tending to flowers, pulling out weeds or insects or planting seeds. It has also been observed that caring for something can help one care for themselves 

Photo by  Filip Urban Team  on  Unsplash

Now that you are aware of what nature can do for you, it’s time to inculcate green space in your routine. Make it a habit to spend some time outdoors regularly, as it can boost your physical and emotional wellness. This can go a long way in strengthening your bond with Mother Nature.

 If you're experiencing anxiety or other distress, either contact Heart It Out or find your nearest tree!