Grab your camping gear, fishing rods and the kids then take in some much-needed outdoor therapy. Research suggests that spending time in the great outdoors and in nature can help you to feel better, improve memory and live longer.
In this day and age, it’s just too easy to get stuck in front of our devices, stuck in full-time work, full-time this – full-time that – it full-time stinks! But even for us full-timers it’s important to break away from the routine. We must take ourselves outside, even if it’s for a few 5-minute breaks a day. The benefits of being outdoors are just too good – and they are free! (we know that’s debatable, depending how much you’ve spent on fishing gear.)
Here are some benefits of getting outdoors:
Explore and discover
Improves memory
Being outdoors has been shown to improve memory function and increase positive attitudes. For the kids, they can explore, discover, it also helps to improve their concentration and let’s not forget, they sleep so much better! Have you ever come back from a fish by the river, walk in the bush or stroll down the beach and just felt restored? You feel more focused, refreshed and revitalised right! Even in colder seasons the benefits are still the same.
Happiness
Increase your happy levels
Getting out into the great outdoors can give those endorphins a boost. By simply sucking down some deep breaths of fresh air increases the oxygen levels in your brain. This in turn intensifies your levels of serotonin, making you feel good and enhancing those happy levels.
Natures Vitamin-D
Boost your immune system
Alongside increasing your happy levels, it is said that feelings of happiness help to keep your immune system strong.
Studies have also shown that breathing in the natural airborne chemicals produced by plants, increases your levels of white blood cells, boosting your immune system and helping to fight off infections and ailments. Not forgetting sunlight is your natural source of Vitamin-D.
Me time
Helps to relieve stress
There is a reason they call it the great outdoors. Nature has a way of making you feel grounded and creating a calming effect. Just being in nature, whether it be just a 5-minute sit down in a city park or a quick cast of your rod at the river on your lunch break. It reduces cognitive fatigue, reduces stress and can assist with depression and anxiety. Again, we’re back to boosting those happy feels just by taking 5 mins out of our day just for ourselves.
Therefore, its official – getting outdoors is a must. it’s just way good for us!
Footnote: All models featured in this post are our kids 🙂
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