Natural vegetation or an outdoor space filled with green trees, flowers and climbers not only looks good in human eyes; it also has many other benefits. In this post, you will read about the benefits of spending time in nature.
To get these benefits you only need to spend 30 minutes or more out in nature. When you are outside you can do several activities like reading books, walking, running etc.
Without wasting any moment – here are 9 benefits you can get when you spend time in nature:
The benefits of spending time in nature
1. You Feel Refreshed.
Beauty in nature exists in abundance. We will run out of our time if we decide to check every beautiful creation of nature.
Just by visiting a wooded park or a community park, you can breathe some fresh air, feel the cold air rippling over your skin, hear the soft sound made by green leaves and tree branches, see the squirrels running and jumping from one tree to another, birds searching for food and flying here and there…
There is something about those things and a rhythm of nature which makes it so refreshing.
Whenever you feel you need a break and want to feel refreshed, take a walk, out in nature. You will feel much more refreshed than before.
2. Spending time in nature helps to boost immune functions.
One of the main health benefits of spending time in nature is – it will help you improve your immune power.
By conducting several scientific studies, scientists have found that by spending time in natural surroundings with plenty of trees and natural flora and fauna – people experienced positive improvements in immune functions.
One big reason behind it is the presence of phytoncides which are airborne chemicals that plants emit themselves to protect themselves from rooting and forest insects. Scientists have found that this phytoncide also benefits humans.
Also, spending time in nature lowers stress hormones which give you a better mood and influences other factors to strengthen the immune system.
WHAT IS SHINRIN-YOKU?
“Shinrin-yoku” or “Forest bathing” – A simple idea to connect with nature.
In it, a person simply visits and spends some time in a natural area and walks in a relaxed way to calm and rejuvenate their body and mind.
The idea of ‘shinrin-yoku’ was first developed and practised in Japan during the 1980s and it has shown excellent results. ( you can see some of the research papers here).
3. Reduces stress and anxiety.
If you live or spend time near green space then you are less likely to be depressed.
In recent years researchers unveiled the reasons behind many ancient practices. It found that ecotherapy (connecting with nature) is as effective as traditional psychotherapy or medication in lowering stress and anxiety.
Researchers at the University of Essex conducted a survey where they found that 94% of the individual believed that spending time in nature and connecting with it help them to have a positive mood.
So, if you are living near a park or spending time in the green then you will experience less anxiety and depression than others who don’t pass time in nature.
4. Boosts creativity.
Immersing yourself in nature gives you inspiration and makes you more productive. Constant distractions and stimulation of modern life make you less focused. From time to time your mind needs to get relaxed.
When you are out in a natural place your mind gets relaxed easily and it replenishes your attention
This study found that – now adults and children are spending more time virtually. Less exposure in outdoors and open spaces has a direct impact on their lifestyle.
Attention Restoration Theory (ART) suggests that spending time in nature can replenish your attentional system.
Therefore going outdoors can help you to be focused and being in nature inspires creativity.
Also, read – The benefits of living a healthy lifestyle.
5. It will reset your internal clock.
Can’t sleep at night? Spending time in nature can help you. Another benefits of spending time in nature is it can help you to reset your internal clock.
Many people struggle to fall asleep. When you sleep late for days; your normal sleep cycle gets disturbed and there are many bad consequences.
If you have a hard time falling asleep, then spending some days close to nature can help you.
According to this study just spending one weekend in the woods can automatically reset your circadian rhythm (inner clock). The study observed this among the participants: People who camped for a weekend fell asleep and woke up early in the morning than some participants who stayed home.
After they returned from camping they noticed – they were able to fall asleep sooner and for a longer period of time.
Related: The benefits of living a physically active lifestyle.
6. Spending time in nature improves memory and cognitive function.
As you already know taking a break in nature can relax your brain, reduces stress, anxiety and boosts immunity. These factors are also beneficial for other functions of our brain.
Seeing nature, listening to its sound and breathing in its fresh atmosphere shows better performance of memory and attention.
In a study led by Doctor Marc Berman to examine ‘the effect of nature walks on cognition and mood in people with major depression’ In that two-part experiment – participants received a 20 per cent mental boost after spending one-hour-long work walk in a woodland park.
7. Better eyesight.
Nowadays we all spent so much time behind the screen. Spending a long time behind a screen can affect your eyesight.
By spending time in nature you can reverse these effects. Spending time outdoors gives your eyes a reason to focus on a large landscape, trees, moving tree leaves etc. It can give you better eyesight and reduces nearsightedness.
8. Sunlight.
Our bodies are designed to get vitamin D from nature. When you spend some time under the Sun, automatically your body gets vitamin D.
To absorb calcium and promote bone growth your body needs vitamin D. Also, vitamin D has many protective effects against a lot of diseases like cancer, heart disease, obesity, muscle weakness etc.
10-15 minutes of sunlight per day can provide ample vitamin D for your body.
9. Helps you to stay physically active.
Although spending time in nature doesn’t have to mean exercise. But it usually does involve some physical activities. Making a habit of walking in nature for some time, is a great way to start living an active lifestyle. It can help your body burn more unused calories, improve blood circulation in your body and improves your overall body fitness.
Doing exercise every day or a couple of times in a week has many important benefits for your body and mind.15-30 minutes of exercise can decrease your risk of all sorts of diseases like diabetes, obesity, heart disease etc.
Also read: Quick fitness & exercise tips for busy professionals
Conclusion
Spending some time in nature is one of the best ways to feel good, improve your mood, destress and recharge your creative self. It can also help you to have a positive change in your lifestyle.
When you regularly spend 30-40 minutes out in nature, you will see an increase in your energy level, and you will be inspired to work for the betterment of your life. The benefits of spending time in nature can help us to enjoy more time outdoors and experience to the beauty of our surroundings.
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Good post.
Thank You.