Looking for ways to enhance your well-being? Look no further than just outside of the four walls of an indoor space. Stepping outside of the four walls of your home, office, or business can have profound impacts on your health.

Research has shown that spending at least 120 minutes outside per week can significantly boost mental and physical health, yet it’s something many don’t consider when developing health goals. In the pursuit of finding balance in all areas of our health, the simple act of reconnecting with nature often remains an overlooked and undervalued aspect.

In this article, we dive deeper into the several benefits the fresh air, and the great outdoors can contribute to a healthier, happier you and ways to practically implement strategies into your routine to have space for stepping outside. 

Benefits of Getting Outside 

Oftentimes, when we consider health benefits, we focus on one aspect of our health instead of looking at our whole health, which includes our mental, physical, social, emotional, environmental, and spiritual health. Getting outside helps us tap into many areas of our health, particularly physical and mental well-being. 

1. Stress Reduction. Time spent outside has been shown to reduce stress and lower blood pressure. It also resets our nervous system and reduces levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, in the body.
2. Improved Mood. Fresh air and sunlight boosts serotonin in the body, playing a key role in satisfaction and happiness.
3. Enhanced Creativity. Getting outside has been shown to improve focus, enhance memory and increase attention span on a specific task. 
4. Vitamin D. Spending time outside is the most natural way to boost levels of Vitamin D, which tends to be a bit lower in the body during the winter months. 
5. Increased Physical Activity. Getting outside supports an active lifestyle, which has been shown to increase life expectancy and offers a whole range of other benefits.
6. Better Sleep. Your body’s internal clock follows light and darkness patterns, making you feel awake during the day and sleepy at night. Therefore, getting outside earlier in the day can support that natural pattern, promoting healthy sleep. 

Establishing routines where you are spending more time outside can come with a few challenges, such as lack of time, the weather, and environmental differences. Here are a few suggestions for overcoming these common barriers to spending more time outside: 

• Lack of time. In our bustling lives, it often feels like there isn’t enough time in the day to get everything done. To spend more time outside, build it into your schedule, just like you would other appointments and meetings. Scheduling time for outdoor activity will increase the likelihood of it happening. 

• Weather concerns. Unfortunately, we can’t control the weather. However, you can take advantage of good weather, and spend more time outside on those days. 

• Physical environment. Depending on your location, finding green spaces might pose a challenge, potentially deterring you from spending time outside. Explore local greenways or parks for a more nature-filled experience. However, don’t overlook the benefits of strolling through urban environments and soaking in the vibrant city sights. 

Understanding the benefits of outdoor activities and acknowledging potential barriers is crucial when building on action steps. Here are some tips to get you started with incorporating more outdoor activities into your routine. 

• Start small. Take it step by step; there’s no need to perfect your routine overnight. Small steps, like finding a time that works best to get outside, paves the way for sustainable progress. 

• Find enjoyable activities. Joining a club that meets outdoors, such as a walking or running club, or even a co-ed league like kickball, makes it easier to incorporate enjoyable activities into a busy schedule. Find things you enjoy. 

• Invite others. When working towards a goal, a little extra support and accountability can go a long way. Involve others by grabbing a buddy, making a plan, and getting outside together. Social connection not only enhances enjoyment but has also been shown to improve mental well-being. 

Getting outside is one of the many ways you can support your overall health. Remember to use this information as a guide for incorporating more outdoor time into your life, but not as a rigid script. Embrace the outdoors on your terms, finding joy and fulfillment in each moment, and take stock as to how it enhances your mental and physical health. 

Sincerely,

Your Wellness