Spring is here! It’s time to start enjoying the outdoors again as a new season begins. After a long winter indoors, it might be a challenge to get back outside. A busy life can sometimes get in the way of being able to spend time outdoors, but there are numerous benefits to gardening or just hanging out outside. Even spending 15 minutes outdoors has been proven to have tremendous positive effects on the body and the mind.
Reduce Stress
Spending time outdoors have been shown to reduce levels of cortisol, also known as “the stress hormone”, in the brain. Going outside for a bit, or even just looking out a window at nature, has been said to reduce stress and improve focus. Being outdoors can also lower blood pressure, which reduces the risk of heart attack and stroke. These factors also contribute to a lift in energy after spending even a small amount of time outside.
Improve Your Immune System
Being outdoors can also improve your immune system and overall health. The Vitamin D you soak up while being outside, helps your body fight off colds and flus. Also, if you’re a gardener, you are exposing yourself to healthy bacteria through the soil that has been shown to help the body fight against psoriasis, allergies, and asthma; afflictions related to an out-of-balance immune system. This bacteria has also been shown to be a factor in alleviating depression. Overall, spending time outdoors, especially outdoor gardening, can do a lot to regulate your health.
Gardening is Exercise
Experts are starting to come around to a fact that avid gardeners have known for a long time: gardening is a form of moderate exercise. Weeding, trimming hedges, and other gardening jobs are examples of tasks that can help anyone work up a sweat. Coupled with the other health benefits of being outdoors, gardening is also a great way to get a moderate form of exercise, and it’s definitely more interesting than logging miles on a treadmill.
It’s time to get back outside and enjoy your outdoor living space! There are several benefits to spending time outdoors. Studies show that being outdoors increases mental and physical health in a large variety of ways. After a long winter indoors, your body will thank you for going outside and enjoying the health benefits of nature.
