Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better. — Albert Einstein
Mother Nature provides serious benefits to our bodies and minds—even when the temperatures drop. So bundle up, and don’t let snow, ice or arctic chills keep you indoors.
Mother Nature provides serious benefits to our bodies and minds—even when the temperatures drop. So bundle up, and don’t let snow, ice or arctic chills keep you indoors.
A Walk Outside Can Boost Creativity and Concentration
Studies show that a stroll outdoors can actually improve brain
function and mental focus. Walking not only results in increased
physical activity, it also promotes the free flow of ideas, according to
Stanford University researchers.
Another study by psychologists from the University of Utah and University of Kansas found that backpackers scored 50 percent higher on creativity tests after spending four full days in nature without any electronics. “Burying yourself in front of a computer 24/7 may have costs that can be remediated by taking a hike in nature,” co-author David Strayer said in a statement.
Research also suggests that time outside can improve focus. Children with ADHD are likely to score higher on concentration tests after time outdoors. Those children who strolled through a park saw a greater increase in focus than those who walked through a residential neighborhood or urban area.
Another study by psychologists from the University of Utah and University of Kansas found that backpackers scored 50 percent higher on creativity tests after spending four full days in nature without any electronics. “Burying yourself in front of a computer 24/7 may have costs that can be remediated by taking a hike in nature,” co-author David Strayer said in a statement.
Research also suggests that time outside can improve focus. Children with ADHD are likely to score higher on concentration tests after time outdoors. Those children who strolled through a park saw a greater increase in focus than those who walked through a residential neighborhood or urban area.
Going Outdoors Can Improve Your Mood
It’s no secret that winter can bring on the blues. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is the cause of reoccurring depression in 10 to 20 percent of women in the U.S. Symptoms of SAD can include anxiety, exhaustion, and overwhelming sadness. Researchers
believe SAD is a result of shorter days in the winter, and the fact
that there is less natural light. The cold can also keep even regular exercisers
indoors, reducing their sun exposure. One quick and easy treatment for
SAD: more time outside (even when it’s chilly or cloudy), according to
the Mayo Clinic.
More Outdoor Time Means More Vitamin D
In addition to easing SAD symptoms, time spent in natural light gives our bodies a chance to soak up vital rays. Vitamin D helps
ward off heart attacks, and may even improve conditions including
osteoporosis and some types of cancer. Although we can obtain vitamin D
from foods like salmon and cheese, we get 80 to 90 percent
of it from the sun. But don’t forget to smear on some SPF if you’re
going to be outside for longer than a few minutes. Just because it’s
winter doesn’t mean the sun won’t damage your skin.
Working up the motivation to exercise outside is trickier when
it’s windy, snowy, or just plain cold. But being outside gives runners a
better workout, burns more calories for cyclists, and makes physical
activity more enjoyable overall, according to The New York Times. That means enduring the elements to jog on a frosty day may actually help us relish our workouts.
“The number one best part of going outside during winter is the solitude and space,” says Sarah Knapp, founder of OutdoorFest, a New York-based organization that encourages city dwellers to go outdoors. “The trails are significantly less crowded, a layer of snow quiets the world down, and when the trees lose their leaves, views are more expansive."
The Outdoors Can Recharge Your Exercise Routine
“The number one best part of going outside during winter is the solitude and space,” says Sarah Knapp, founder of OutdoorFest, a New York-based organization that encourages city dwellers to go outdoors. “The trails are significantly less crowded, a layer of snow quiets the world down, and when the trees lose their leaves, views are more expansive."
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