Health Benefits of Nature

We've all craved characteristics at some time or another. Maybe it was the white sands of your beach (and the associated health benefits) that we longed for, or the calmness of your hill camping trip.

We look forward to a hike in the woods perhaps, or a canoe trip on a river... whatever our preferences, we all desire nature at some true point, and with good reason.

The advantages of Nature:

It seems intuitive that we prefer to spend time out-of-doors, but science has now identified some of the reasons we NEED time in a more natural setting actually. In fact, there's a term for this- Eco-therapy that refers to the many physical and psychological benefits associated with being outside.

A 2009 study found that the closer someone resided to a renewable space or characteristics area, the healthier that person was likely to be. In fact, those who lived closest to a park, aspect protect or wooded area were less likely to suffer from depression or stress.

Another study found that those who spent time trekking or relaxing in a forest had measurably lower cortisol rates, heart and soul rates and blood circulation pressure. 

The College or university of Illinois conducted research that proved that children with ADD/ADHD experienced a reduced amount of symptoms after spending time outdoors (this ties in with a less well-studied theory that these disorders are in least partially "nature deficit disorders:"

In their most recent study, conducted on the nationwide scale, psychologists Andrea Taylor and Frances Kuo have discovered that children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder, or ADHD, experienced a significant reduction in symptoms once they participated in activities in green settings. No matter what activity--whether it was participating in basketball or reading a book--the amount of relief from ADHD symptoms was linked with the greenness of the setting up where it took place, with green configurations like tree-lined pavements relatively, parks and backyards trumping the indoors or outdoor places that lacked greenery. 

Of course, spending time in characteristics won't be a metallic bullet for children fighting ADD/ADHD, but spending some (free!) family time outdoors will probably be worth a try.

Other studies have found sleeping improvements, better immune system function, and lower rates of stress related disorders in those who put in regular amount of time in nature.

Many of these factors may be reasons that regular gardeners live much longer and that the practice of "forest bathing" (spending time in the forest) has become popular in Japan which is even recommended and covered by medical plans in some cases.

Why is nature so important?

There are several factors that could contribute to medical benefits (though the true benefit may continue to be an intangible that people can instinctively feel however, not explain)

How Time Outdoors Makes Us Healthier

Vitamin D

One reason time outside the house may contribute to health is the contact with Vitamin D producing sun rays. This essential pre-hormone is accountable for many aspects of health throughout the body.

Supplement D deficit has been linked to numerous kinds of tumors and obesity, as well as mental disorders and other health problems.

Though supplemental Vitamin supplements D is offered, many people don't absorb it effectively (like me) and also need sun contact with get adequate Vitamin D.

Either way...hanging out outdoors in moderate sun is a great way to get natural Supplement D.

Exercise

Unless your version of hanging out in nature entails driving into the woods and sitting there, most nature experience include some form of exercise also.

From climbing, swimming, walking, an canoeing, most forms of outdoor activity also include movement.

Everybody knows the benefits of exercise, yet most of us still aren't getting enough exercise regularly. Hanging out outdoors offers a chance for fun movement combined with the other benefits of nature.

Since we should all anyway be moving each day, get the dual benefit and get your exercise outdoors!

Grounding

This good thing about nature is controversial in modern medicine somewhat, and my post about any of it has gotten an array of feedback, from those who swear by the great things about grounding to those who insist it is completely made up.

The essential theory is the fact that since many folks don't enter into direct skin connection with the Earth quite definitely, a positive demand can build-up in the body. Direct skin contact with the planet earth acts as a "ground" exactly like it does for electrical outlets, reducing this extra positive charge.

Proponents of earthing report that it can help reduce inflammation in the physical body and improve rest quality.

Whatever your view of earthing/grounding, it is another positive side effect of being outside the house, especially barefoot or going swimming in an all natural body of drinking water.

Can't Get Outside?

There are ways to get the benefits associated with grounding indoors with earthing sheets or mats.

Fresh Air

Indoors air is up to 70 times more contaminated than outdoor air often. With more air-tight insulation, doors and windows, and the plethora of chemicals and plastics we bring into our homes, most people come in contact with to 6 up,000 chemicals regularly.

Hanging out outside the house is an escape from indoors polluting of the environment and outdoor air may have additional benefits as well.

Outdoor air is a good source of beneficial negative ions and places like the beach and close to waterfalls are especially good sources. These negative ions are also present in sun light and after a thunderstorm, when you're able to smell the "freshness" in the air. Interior air, in comparison, is deficient in negative ions and is also dried and contaminated often.

Negative ions are known as "nature's antidepressants" and are found to truly have a relaxing and healing effect.

Eye Health

This is an often surprising benefit of spending time outdoors, and an extremely important one.

We could witnessing an increase in perspective problems, especially in children. One possible reason is the amount of time that many folks spend looking at your computer or TV screen on a regular basis.

While children used to invest almost all of their time out-of-doors looking at a wide variety of colors, degrees of depths and lighting, they now spend up to seven hours each day starting at a TV, computer or tablet display with artificial light. The total result can be an upsurge in nearsightedness, even in kids who aren't genetically predisposed to it.

In fact, a report done in 2007 discovered that children who spent at least 2 hours every day outside were four times less likely to be nearsighted.(4) For children, it has dire repercussions especially. The researchers speculated that bright outdoor light helps children develop the correct distance between retina and lens and brings about better eyesight later in life. Since interior lighting will not provide the same benefit, children who spend a lot of time indoors are much more likely to have perspective problems later in life.

Looking at a display can also lead to eyeball fatigue, headaches, rear or throat problems and other problems in parents.

Healthy Circadian Rhythm

Spending time outdoors, in morning sunlight especially, may help decrease the risk of overweight. In fact,a study at Northwestern College or university found that the preceding a report participant acquired morning hours sun light, the lower than participant's BMI.

This correlation remained strong after experts tweaked for exercise levels even, age, calorie intake and other factors that influence BMI. The reason? Getting sunlight in the morning helps maintain cortisol levels and circadian rhythms in the right ranges.

The reverse correlation was true also, as exposure to light during the night was a factor in gaining weight (another reason to be sure to have a dark sleep environment),  but less than around 30 minutes of sun visibility before noon was enough to have an effect on minimizing body weight.

This effect is so pronounced, in simple fact, that my doctor recommended morning sunlight publicity within my standard protocol to assist in improving my cortisol levels and thyroid health.

Does inside light work?

Bright morning hours light outdoors is typically thousands of "lux" a measure of illuminance that is actually one lumen per square meter. Interior light is normally only measures a couple of hundred lux and doesn't contain the broad spectral range of light had a need to correctly support the body's internal clock.

While things such as 10,000 lux energy light lights get closer to the level of outdoor brightness and are often used in the winter by those who have problems with Seasonal Affective Disorder, little or nothing beats the advantages of nature with true sunlight.

Best Way to Get the Benefits of Nature?

As you can inform, there are a lot of factors that may contribute to the advantages of nature, but we still may never understand completely why spending time outdoors has such profound physiological and mental effects. We can say for certain that point outdoors is important and that people aren't getting enough.

There are things we can do to get incomplete benefits, however the best (and most affordable) option is merely to get outdoors... in the early morning... near trees.

 

My Solution?

Take a long day walk (with my puppy) on a greenway near our home where there are many trees, wildflowers and a small waterfall even. I take my children on these walks sometimes, or I encourage them to spend some time outdoors each day as well.

 Gardening is another great way to get time outside the house, and spending time watering vegetation in the first day is a superb way to get day sun rays.

Whatever works for you, find a way to spend some time outdoors daily and take your family with you. Need some motivation ?