Spending time outside is one of the easiest ways to improve your mental health and well-being.
After a year of social distancing and trying to manage our lives during a pandemic, you might feel reluctant to go outside unless you have to. But spending time outside is one of the easiest ways to improve your mental health and well-being. In fact, there's never been a better time, and bigger need, for the benefits of nature.
"Getting a mental break from work or a stressful situation like managing your life during a pandemic and going outside is important. It allows you to take a breath, relax, and reset with a better frame of mind,” says Dr. Christine Ashour, Family Medicine and Primary Care, White Plains Hospital Physician Associates, “It doesn’t matter if you’re at a park, in the words, or in your back yard, being in nature can have a calming effect and improve your mental and physical health, especially when its combined with exercise."
Some of the benefits of the outdoors including:
Chasing away the blues. Anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues can be eased by spending time outside. Studies have shown being outdoors lowered levels of cortisol, a hormone that’s a marker for stress.
Getting a boost of vitamin D. You can improve your health just by soaking up the sun. Vitamin D is essential for bone growth, regulates your immune system, and can help battle depression. An estimated 40% of U.S. men and women are vitamin D deficient, which can lead to osteoporosis, cancer, heart attacks, and strokes.
Improving your vision. Going outside can do so much good for the health of your eyes. People who suffer from Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS), a problem caused by staring at computers, tablets, and smartphones for long periods of time, may find that spending time outdoors can alleviate blurred and double vision, red eyes, and headaches.
Better brain function. Spending more time outdoors is also linked to higher levels of concentration, creativity, and improved mental clarity. The attention-improving effect of nature is so strong it has been studied as a method of treating kids with Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and asthma.
A breath of fresh air. Bundle up and head out for a walk or hit the cross-country ski trails. A deep breath of fresh air can clear your lungs, give your more energy, and lower your blood pressure and heart rate. Just remember - If you’re taking the dog outside with you, be sure to know your pet’s limits when it comes to cold.
“There are many outdoor activities families can enjoy together to stay active. You can take advantage of the colder weather to ice skate, ski, or enjoy sledding,” says Dr. Ashour. “Our bodies actually burn more calories in colder temperatures, making it easier to lose weight.”
If you’re feeling restless after long days spent cooped up indoors, get outside. Don’t forget to wear layered clothing. Be safe and have fun!
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Dr. Christine Ashour is a Family Medicine Physician. To make an appointment with Dr. Ashour at White Plains Hospital Medical & Wellness in Armonk, call 914-849-7900, or in Yorktown Heights at 914-849-7060.