Healthy

Spending Time In Nature Leads To Happiness And Health As We Age

The benefits of spending time in nature don’t end when you leave elementary school – fresh air and unstructured nature are vital to developing a child’s brain.

The study shows that milder climates are associated with better health than climates that force residents to stay indoors during chilly winters or hot summers.

Spending time outside can improve physical and mental health.

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Dr. Philip Junglas of the Cleveland Clinic says that moving 10000 steps or performing moderate exercise for 150 minutes a week can reduce the effects of aging.

Increased Movement And Stimulation

Dr. Junglas said, “In the simplest form, going outside often entails moving and using the senses in a more diverse way than is needed inside, noting that being in nature provides a much-needed change of scenery.

Outdoor activities may involve more walking or varying one’s gaze and usually provide a broader range of [sensory]input than a home or office environment.

Enhanced Problem-Solving Skills

The world outside is constantly changing — and it happens daily, says Dr. Junglas.

Dr. Junglas said, “The mind will subconsciously sift through to understand its surroundings. Maybe you’ll notice a tree in bloom, an unfamiliar bird call, or your neighbors having their shed painted.”

Positivity Shifts Your Mood

According to Dr. Junglas, our minds are distracted by our surroundings as they process our surroundings.

He said, “This helps distract the mind away from our emotional feelings and improve the state of well-being without having had any change in our stressors, noting that what we do while we are outside matters.”

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When You Age, Spend More Time Outside

When we get older, there are many barriers to time outdoors: work schedules, childrearing, or physical ailments that make rough terrain or extreme temperatures unbearable.

It can be beneficial to pay attention to things around you on your daily walk to the mailbox or your morning commute.

Dr. Junglas notes, “Time does not have to be congruous if made deliberate. Take a moment to look around and scope out your surroundings.”