Five Reasons To Spend More Time Outdoors

We recently came across an article from @australianoutdoorliving that struct a cord with us here at james Baroud AU. 

I am sure you’ll agree with these 5 reasons to spend more time outdoors, not that we need to twist your arm! Studies have shown that most people don’t spend enough time outside – especially if you work in front of a computer screen.

Unfortunately, spending too much time inside isn’t actually good for us. The human body needs natural environments to properly function, so much so that there are actually psychological and physiological benefits to being outdoors.

Don’t worry – you don’t need to quit your cushy office job. Going for the occasional hike or quick weekend camp trip will work wonders, and you’ll be noticing the benefits in no time.

Spending time outdoors has a range of benefits.

1. Say goodbye to mental fatigue

We’ve all experienced it – the fuzzy feeling behind your eyes at three in the afternoon making you sleepy.

Studies have shown that people’s mental energy drastically improves when they are exposed to the great outdoors.

Natural beauty often leaves people in awe, giving them the mental boost they need to go about their lives.

2. Being outdoors improves your mood

Making the effort to get active outdoors can have an incredibly positive effect on your mental health.

Combining exercise with the great outdoors can result in a massive improvement in mood and self-esteem, especially when water is involved.

Feeling down? Try going for a walk, anywhere, but if you have some forests or a beach nearby that would be a perfect star!

3. The great outdoors will help you relax

Going camping for just two nights can significantly reduce stress in the body, leaving you relaxed and ready to face the coming week at work.

Even a simple view of nature out of the office window has been shown to reduce stress and raise job satisfaction, so it might be a good idea to convince your boss to let you sit near a window!

4. Forget less

Nature walks can potentially improve your short-term memory!

Studies have shown that people who regularly experience nature perform 20 per cent better on memory tests than those who don’t.

It’s also been proven that getting outside in a forest environment is better than simply going for a walk around city block.

5. Feel less pressure

Since being outdoors is often associated with exercise, it should come as no surprise that it can have a positive effect on your blood pressure as well.

A study in Japan showed that a short walk in the forest can lower the average pulse by four per cent and blood pressure by just over two per cent.

There are many more benefits to spending time outdoors – far too many to list in this article.

The best way to experience it is to make the effort to head outside.

Even a couple of hours a week spent in the great outdoors are better than nothing!