Want to Feel Better? Get Out.

Nature is calling and you should listen.

First, thanks for reading. I hope you like it. Sign up and get a new lesson every week.

Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So…get on your way. - Dr. Seuss

Here on the east coast, the past month has dumped more snow than we’ve seen in years. Combine that with the pandemic, and we’re spending far more time inside than out. It’s too easy to get cooped up behind the desk and forget about all the benefits that wait outside.

While stepping outside can have a great impact on your outlook and mood, there are a whole host of other reasons to make getting outside a key part of your day. As the Father of Western Medicine, Hippocrates, once said, “Nature itself is the best physician.”

Improves Mood — Research shows that simply walking outside can make you happy, and you’ll begin to melt away that anxiety and stress like snow on the ground.

Improves Focus — If you having a hard time concentrating, studies show that you’ll improve with spending time outside.

Boosts Your Energy - Craving another cup of coffee in the morning or afternoon? Skip the caffeine and sit outside instead. One study suggests that spending 20 minutes in the open air can have the same pick me up as that cup of joe. (If you are like me, do both!)

Exercise Gets Easier - One study had cyclists pedal in front of green, grey, and red video footage. The bikers who exercised in front of the green reported feeling less physical exertion and more positive moods. That means a little grass, trees, and plants can add a boost to that exercise routine of yours.

Sunlight Helps Lessen Pain - Studies show that surgery patients who were exposed to high-intensity sunlight reported less stress and less pain, and needed less pain medication.

Boosts Your Immune System - Who doesn’t need more of that these days? Scientists think that breathing in phytoncides—airborne chemicals produced by plants—increases your levels of white blood cells, and help fight off infections and disease. 

Outdoors Enhances Creativity - If you’re struggling with that next great idea, you might want to spend some time outside. Research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine showed that walking in a city park or any green space for as little as 25 minutes is enough to give your brain a rest and boost cognitive functioning.

Get Your Vitamin D - Vitamin D is essential for a well-functioning body. It helps us absorb calcium, and it reduces inflammation, among other things. Vitamin D can be found in some foods, but we get more than 90 percent of our vitamin D from exposure to sunlight.

Feeling a Bit Low? If you’ve been feeling blue, get some green outside. A recent study found that men and women who spent just 20 minutes in a park setting reported a 64% hike in life satisfaction.

Struggle Less With Sleep - Going outdoors could improve your quality of sleep, according to Stanford Medicine. Spending time outside helps to regulate body temperature, along with the sleep-wake cycle, otherwise known as the circadian rhythm. 

Increase Your Connections - We are all social creatures and crave interaction. Spending time outdoors is a great way to connect with other people, whether it’s at the local dog park, beach, or sports field. 

Need a kickstart? Take the David Attenborough challenge which simply suggests you go sit quietly in nature—specifically someplace wooded for 10 minutes.

Thanks for reading. Now go outside!