The Benefits of Spending Time Outside

By Marco A.

It is widely known that we are supposed to stay active throughout the day. However, it may also be important to get outside while being active. We are all, at our core, the same as animals-- nothing more than Homo sapiens. However, one major difference remains: we have established an advanced society with houses, skyscrapers, and offices. Yet, being the product of nature that we are, we were not “designed” to be spending all of our time indoors. It is simply unnatural. As a result, there are specific health advantages associated with spending time outside, just as nature intended.

Photo by Eric Nopanen on Unsplash

Getting Outdoors Helps You See Better

Believe it or not, there is an actual medical term called “Computer Vision Syndrome” (CVS). CVS is a result of staring at objects, obviously most often computers, that are close to your eyes; we are engineered to be spending most of our time looking at large landscapes. So please, let your eyes perform the tasks that they are meant to and take a break to walk outside. CVS results in double vision, headaches, neck and back pain, blurred vision, and eye irritation. These symptoms do not sound fun, so if you're spending a lot of time on your online class, watching Netflix, or playing games, get outside!

Even if you don’t spend a lot of time looking at screens, (which, let’s be honest, is unlikely) artificial light, such as the light coming from every light bulb in your house, has been found to increase the chances of becoming nearsighted. Natural light, however, is great for your eyes.

Nature Helps You Fall Asleep

Everyone loves a good night’s sleep, but everyone despises a restless night. Although the best way to achieve enjoyable sleep is to develop a schedule and stick to it, sunlight can also have a positive effect. All humans have what’s called a circadian rhythm. This is an internal clock that is set by environmental cues such as sunlight. By processing sunlight in the morning, the brain naturally produces little wake up signals (hormones) to be sent throughout your body. However, it has been shown that this does not occur with artificial light. Furthermore, when the sun sets, the brain starts producing melatonin, a hormone that tells your body it's time to go to sleep. Unfortunately, screens often produce a wavelength called blue light, which inhibits the release of melatonin. The best way to prevent this is to simply avoid screens at night, but this may be impossible to do. Luckily, many free programs, including night shift on your iPhone, help reduce the amount of blue light emitted from your screen.

Being Outside Makes You Happy

It’s true! Just by going outside, your body naturally produces serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is responsible for making you feel good. Additionally, studies have shown that the outdoors can cause increased activity in parts of the brain associated with emotional stability, love, and empathy. Just seeing nature has also been shown to reduce stress. Furthermore, many outdoor activities such as hiking have been shown to have a meditative effect if performed alone. This has been researched and shown to make you happier in general! So if you’re feeling down, head for the trees!

Being Outdoors Can Improve Concentration and Memory

Numerous studies have shown that just spending some time outside everyday can help you recall facts and concentrate. A study by the University of Michigan showed that people who spent time walking around a forest did 20% better on a test than those who walked in a city. The important part of this is that you spend time outside in nature, rather than a city. So next time you have a big test, consider taking a hike the day before-- it could be the difference between an A and a B!

Long Term Exposure to Nature Increases Creativity

Having a hard time with that painting you’re working on? Consider going on a camping trip! A recent study showed that after being outside for 4 days, the participants did 50% better on a creative problem-solving test. This is a huge increase! So if you are having trouble thinking of new ideas, a refreshing trip to the trees is the way to go.

Overall, being outside has massive health benefits, and these five just scratch the surface of all of the possibilities. Being in nature, after all, is in our DNA. So next time you want to get fit and go to work out, instead of hitting the gym, hit the trails! Your body will thank you.

Sources:

Buisness Insider 

http://www.businessinsider.com/scientific-benefits-of-nature-outdoors-2016-4/#7-sharper-thinking-and-creativity-7

The Trek

https://thetrek.co/scientifically-supported-reasons-get-outside/

Harvard Health Publications

http://www.health.harvard.edu/press_releases/spending-time-outdoors-is-good-for-you