Living Outside: 7 Health Benefits According To Science – Nation World News

7 Health Benefits of Living Outside

Mother Nature sometimes finds it difficult to compete with the inner world. Ultimately, May not offer flat screen TV, air conditioning or WiFi. but It can offer something even more important: through better health, a stronger immune system, better sleep, and less stress.

spend time outside It can improve physical and mental health in many ways. And you dont have to spend many hours outside for those benefits to take effect. According to a 2019 study that included data from 19,806 participants, Spending at least 120 minutes a week in nature can significantly improve health and well-being. Even if there is no greenery around you, spend time in the sun and fresh air Can help you feel better in mind and body.

7 health benefits of spending time outside

1. Breathe Better

Indoor air pollutant concentrations are typically two to five times higher than outside

can cause air pollution allergies, asthma and other respiratory diseases, Something you might already know. But, you will be surprised to know that Indoor air pollutant concentrations are typically two to five times higher than outdoors.

but Spending more time in natural green spaces can help reduce the risk of respiratory problems. A 2016 study examining the relationship between local greening and mortality risk followed 108,630 women for 8 years. compared to people with less vegetation in their neighbourhood, Those with more vegetation were 34% less likely to die from respiratory diseases.

as always, The freshest air is found in places with great air circulation. For example, camping in an open field can give you more pollution respite than simply relaxing on the banks of a river surrounded by skyscrapers and factories.

2. Sleep Better

usually, The bodys internal clock follows the sun, It wakes you up during the day and sleeps at night. Although artificial lighting can mimic natural lightDirect sunlight is 200 times the intensity of office lighting in a closed room. Therefore, sunlight affects circadian rhythms more than electrical light.

Best of sunshine? It doesnt cost anything. To take the daily dose, you just have to go outside. just keep in mind that Sunlight has to enter your eyes to affect your circadian rhythm. If youre hoping to improve your sleep, having a picnic on the beach may help you more than taking a nap in a shady wooded area.

3. Reduction of Depression Symptoms

Sunlight often helps relieve symptoms of depression, such as: Low mood and fatigue. According to science, phototherapy It can help treat both major and seasonal depression. If a patient has a seasonal depression, you can see an improvement After a few days. if you have a major depression, it may take 2 to 5 weeks To notice the improvement.

However, experts They are not yet completely sure how sunlight affects depression. Some believe that sunlight has a protective effect, because Can help the body produce vitamin D. It is also possible that the sun Improves sleep, which in turn reduces the severity of depression symptoms.

4. More Motivation to Exercise

exercising in green spaces can help you increase your motivation to exercise in the futurepartly because exercising outside It can offer a nice change of pace from the gym and can make physical activity more interesting and enjoyable.

Plus, it makes socializing easier, as many gyms have unwritten rules about not chatting with the person on the treadmill next to you. Finally, exercising outside can help you feel lighter and less strenuous, according to 2013 research suggesting it. Outdoor walkers exercise more intensely and report less exertion

You dont have to bike triathlon or ski a mountain to enjoy exercising in nature. any activity that moves your body in a way that is feasible for you, such as gardening, playing with your dog at the park or washing your car, May provide some health benefits.

5. Restoration of Mind

modern world includes lots of intrusive excitement Flickering screen, vibrating phone, rough roads- Competition for our limited attention. This exasperation continues It can increase your stress level without you realizing it.

natural world, Conversely, you can offer A mental and emotional haven for when you need to disconnect and recharge. in nature, soothing attraction to the sensesFrom the scent of flowers to the music of birds songs, They can grab your attention without draining your mental energy.

Research conducted in 2020 shows that Spending time in nature can help you feel more relaxed and focused, Especially when you take the time to observe your surroundings. To get these benefits, you can consider the possibility of carrying out reflective activities at a slow pace, Like hiking in the woods or kayaking on the lake.

6. Improved Immune Function

Expert guidance shows that When youre outside, not to mention other viruses, youre less likely to contract the virus that causes COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2). This is because air circulation can reduce the presence of airborne viruses. In fact, according to 2021 research, Transmission is 18.7 times more likely to occur indoors than outside.

Ignoring the pandemic for the time being, Spending time outside can help your immune system function better. Non-dangerous microorganisms found in nature can exercise your immune system, so to speak, to help prepare you for more serious infections.

If a person lives in a completely sterile environment, his or her immune system may lose its ability to recognize what is dangerous and what is not. So you can trigger a red alert for any microorganism, which can lead to chronic inflammation. So although soap is a wonderful invention, It can also be good to be sloppy from time to time.

7. Myopia Protection

There is some evidence to suggest that Children who spend a lot of time outside are less likely to develop nearsightedness or myopia. In a study conducted in 2020, it included 10,743 children between the ages of 9 and 11 in Taipei. Researchers found that children who spent more time outside at leisure They were 22% less likely to develop myopia than their peers.

Increasing the working distance from the eyes when doing close-up work and taking breaks after 30 minutes of close-up work also provides some protection. Experts have suggested some possible reasons why spending time outside may help prevent myopia:

natural light Provides a brighter, richer collection of wavelengths of light to see.

outdoor Allows your eye to practice seeing objects from different distances.

Light Stimulates the production of dopamine in the retina This prevents the eyeball from stretching and distorting the vision. However, this theory has only been tested on animals.

spoil it It only affects the eye as it grows, so spending time outside may not reverse myopia in adulthood. However, regular outdoor activities during childhood, such as playing ball, swimming or sledding, may save a child from visiting an optometrist later. And, moreover, they provide great opportunities to build family bonds.

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Living Outside: 7 Health Benefits According To Science - Nation World News