Most of us could do with living a little more healthily and improving our physical and mental health. Studies show that fewer than 1 in 20 adults get at least thirty minutes of exercise each day. Furthermore, according to the same source, two-thirds of adults fail to get the recommended level of physical activity per week.
The good news is that cultivating a healthier lifestyle doesn’t have to be difficult. Indeed, all it may entail is spending more time outside!
There’s all manner of health benefits and positive effects of outdoor activities for everybody to enjoy. No matter your age, getting out into nature can deliver a host of positive results to your physical and mental wellbeing.
Want to learn more about how you stand to gain? Read on for 7 key health benefits of spending time outdoors and exercising outdoors.
1. You Get a Dose of Vitamin D
A vitamin D deficiency can play a role in everything from cancer and heart disease to depression and weight gain.
As you can see, having enough of this crucial vitamin plays a key preventative role against a wide array of ailments. Soaking up the sun in the great outdoors leads to the formation of it in the skin!
That, in turn, helps allay the onset of the aforementioned health issues.
However, it's worth noting how inadequate sun protection can cause its own set of debilitating issues, such as melanoma (aka skin cancer).
Make sure you take safety precautions against the sun whenever you venture outside. Getting into this habit at an early age is important too. The earlier you start protecting your skin, the less opportunity the sun has to do its damage.
Prevent dangerous exposure to the sun’s UV rays by applying sunscreen and wearing BloqUV apparel. Self-screen your skin for potential issues too, and visit your dermatologist for regular check-ups.
2. You Feel Less Stressed
You can’t help but feel less stressed when you’re in the great outdoors.
Immersed in nature, you reconnect with what’s really important in life. You get some much needed mental and physical space to reduce stress. Outdoor time becomes a beautiful escape that lifts your spirits and nourishes your soul.
Heck, the very sight of nature can be enough to make you feel more relaxed!
Whether you’re walking, jogging, or biking, you elevate your heart rate too, breathe in the clean outdoor air, and get your muscles working. Everything about that process facilitates the reduction of stress and worry.
3. You Feel Less Depressed or Anxious
Anxiety and depression are hugely common mental health issues in the US.
Tens of millions of people will suffer from one or both of them at some point throughout their lifetimes. They’re debilitating ailments that sap the joy from life and make daily tasks a challenge.
But being out in natural light is well known to fight them off! These positive results are even more pronounced when you partake in exercise at the same time. You’ll feel a marked reduction in symptomology, including elevated mood and a boost in self-esteem.
4. Your Blood Pressure Goes Down
Do you struggle with high blood pressure?
Well, it might be time to get outside! Another advantage of spending time in nature is the reduction in diastolic blood pressure. That might come as less of a surprise, given the reduction in stress-levels we mentioned above.
Yet it’s worth emphasizing in its own right. After all, elevated blood pressure can have a host of savage side effects. If the issue goes unchecked, then your chance of suffering a stroke and heart attack goes up significantly.
Getting outside into green and open spaces could make a positive difference.
5. You Sleep Better and Feel Less Fatigued
There’s nothing worse than struggling with your sleep.
Unfortunately, it’s another issue that’s all too common in society. A huge number of people struggle with insomnia and fatigue. Both conditions sap your energy levels, making it harder to focus and regulate emotions.
Thankfully, increasing the amount of time you spend outdoors (and exercising) can improve sleep. You may sleep longer and deeper, waking up feeling refreshed and energetic as a result.
6. Your Memory Gets Better
Everybody wants a strong memory. After all, there’s nothing worse than being unable to remember the amazing things you’ve been doing.
It’s distressing to realize how easily things are lost and forgotten about. Want to retain as much as possible?
Well, you might want to start taking regular walks in green spaces! It’s been shown that doing exactly that can facilitate short term memory. The stimulation of being in these beautiful natural environments with fresh air helps improve your attention.
As a result, you come away having retained more of what you saw, felt, and did.
7. You’re Less Likely to Die
You read that correctly! That’s right, being outdoors and increasing your rate of physical activity can reduce your overall risk of premature death.
It’s no surprise, really. Each and every positive we’ve discussed so far helps counteract a life-shortening ailment. In so doing, it’s reasonable to assume that you can extend your life expectancy in the process.
If you ever wanted further incentive to get outside, then surely this is it!
Enjoy the Health Benefits of Being Outdoors
How’s your health doing at the moment?
If you’re like the vast majority of people in this country, there’s a good chance there’s room for improvement. Physically, mentally, and emotionally, we could all reap the rewards of a boost to our wellbeing.
Thankfully, the process of doing so can be as simple as getting outside into nature more. Hopefully, this post has highlighted the primary health benefits of being outdoors to inspire you to do exactly that.
Are you ready to get out into nature and want some UV protective clothing to keep your skin safe at the same time? Click here to see our BLOQUV outdoor activewear!