The Mental Health Benefits of Going Outside
by Clinicians at Ganey Counseling on 03/10/17
Spring is just around the corner which means warmer temperatures, bright blooms and cool breezes! It’s the perfect time to break the cabin fever and seasonal blues. But in the midst of our busy schedules and daily life, spending time outside can become just another thing to add to our list. When we are being pulled in a number of directions, it forces us to prioritize and decide what is most important for us to spend our time doing. Why is getting outside something we should choose to prioritize as the weather warms? 5 Mental Health Benefits of Going Outside 1. Overall Reduced Stress Levels Spending time in nature has been clinically shown to reduce stress levels. While a combination of other positive effects may be the explanation for this, there’s no arguing that looking at trees and feeling the warmth of the sun reduces stress far more than looking at the walls of your home or the desk in your office. 2. Vitamin D Levels Sunlight hitting the skin has been shown to increase the level of Vitamin D in the body! Vitamin D has been linked to decreased symptoms of depression. Bonus! All that sunlight helps regulate your body’s circadian rhythm and positively impact the quality of your sleep. 3. Improved Focus Outdoors, there are far less negative and distracting stimuli lobbying for our attention and robbing us of our ability to focus on the things that we really want to. Looking to devote yourself to a particular project? Desiring to shift your focus from work to your family at the end of the day? Try a 15 minute walk or bike ride outside or sitting in a lawn chair for a few minutes. Being outside can help you refocus on the thing that really matter. 4. Easy Exercise Getting outside gets you moving! The more time you spend outside, the less time you are spending watching TV or starting at a computer screen. Simply taking a walk gets your heart rate up and your body burning calories. Experience the positive benefits of endorphins, increased dopamine levels (the feel good hormone!) and get that vitamin D while you’re at it! 5. Increased Creativity A study published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology suggested that spending time in nature has a positive impact on creative production, especially when it involved walking or moving. Creating and creative expression is something adults often desire to incorporate into their lives but struggle to find the time or inspiration to do so! Whether it’s a traditional creative medium such as painting or writing or something a bit less traditional like home decor or cooking, spending some time outside can help get those creative juices flowing!
