Spending time in nature can help you to connect more with nature and get its amazing health benefits.
In this article, you will know about 9 health benefits of spending time in nature and what happens with your body and mind when you spent time outdoor.
Let’s start.
How spending time in nature works?
Science identified some factors which directly and indirectly benefits someone who spends time in nature. Some of those factors lead to positive change in mind as well as in the body.
Researches in this field recently opened ample opportunities that you can get by spending as little as 30 minutes in nature.
“If you want to know about the healing power of nature and its other benefits then you have to observe, praise and honour the – nature.”
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Benefits of Spending Time in Nature
1. You Feel Refreshed and Rejuvenated
To spend time in nature – every time you don’t need to go to state conservancies.
It can be a wooded park or a community park, it does not matter as long as you can breathe the fresh air, feel the cold air rippling over your skin, hear the soft sound made by green leafs and tree branches, see the squirrels running and jumping from one tree to another, and birds searching for food and flying here and there.
If you are surrounded by these things then you are in nature and you can get all of its benefits.
There is something about those things and a rhythm of nature which makes it so refreshing.
No matter how tired you are spending some time in nature can help you to charge your inner battery and you can get relaxed and rejuvenated.
2. An immune system boost
One of the vital health benefits of spending time in nature is – it will help you to get a strong immune system.
By conducting several scientific studies, scientists have found that spending time in natural surroundings with plenty of trees and natural flora and fauna – peoples 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 clam and rejuvenate their body and mind.
The idea of ‘shinrin-yoku’ first developed and practised in Japan during the 1980s and it has shown excellent results. ( you can see some of the research paper here).
3. Spending time in nature 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 reasons behind many ancient practices. Its 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.
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4. Being in nature boosts creativity
Immersing yourself in nature gives you inspiration and makes you more productive. Constant distractions and stimulation’s of modern life make you less focused. 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 have a direct impact on their lifestyle.
Attention Restoration Theory (ART) suggests that spending time in nature can replenish your attentional system.
Therefore going outdoor can help you to be focused and being in nature inspires creativity.
5. It will reset your internal clock
Can’t sleep at night? Spending time in nature can help you.
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 are suffering from insomnia or having a harder 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: Peoples 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: Top 10 Weight loss fruits of all time
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. Exercise
Although spending time in nature doesn’t have to mean exercise. It usually does involve some physical activities. Walking in nature releases tensions from your body and you get better air circulation.
Doing exercise every day or couple of times in a week has massive benefits for your body and mind.15-30 minutes of exercise can decrease your risk from all sorts of diseases like diabetes, obesity, heart disease and even cancer.
Read also: Foods that increase fat percentage of your body
Some bonus tips
I mentioned earlier that spending time in nature works as a mood booster it also associates with balance in life and happiness. Every day, most of the people experience happiness more or less. But when you got a relaxed body and mind you will be happier.
Spending time in nature and happiness can improve your relationships with other peoples also.
When you feel happiness personally; you want to spread it among others also. How you feel in a day have a lot to do with how you interact with other persons. When you spend time in nature you will be nicer to others.
Spending time in the fresh air can give you more ideas and you might be inspired to save the world.
Conclusion
Spending time in nature refreshes your mind and reduces stress and anxiety. You will also experience a boost in your immunity system and memory functions
It gives you a positive change in your life and lifestyle. You will enjoy better health conditions. You can see an increased energy level and happiness in your life.
By connecting only 20-30 minutes with nature you will get enough vitamin D for your body which can help you to prevent many diseases.
So, ditch everything and manage 20-30 minutes to spend in nature. You will be happier and healthier.
What’s the one amazing thing you observed when you are out in nature…comment below.
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