The Outdoors and Your Body and Mind

Outdoor activity used to be the standard for recreation. A rainy Saturday was especially heartbreaking for school children and families. As television, the internet, and video games became more affordable and widespread, spending time outdoors became an afterthought in comparison. Along with dietary changes, we have seen dramatic negative effects on health, both mental and physical, in developed countries worldwide. There are many benefits to spending time outside whatever your age or fitness level. On average people today spend 87 percent of their time inside buildings. Homes, restaurants, movie theaters, shopping centers, places of work and study. Another 6 percent is spent in vehicles. Total, this adds up to 93 percent of the average life spent indoors.

Physical Health.

There are many reasons why this is detrimental to both mental and physical health. The level of pollutants indoors is, on average, 3 to 5 times higher than it is outside. 1 Being outdoors in natural light increases levels of vitamin D which can help the body fight many illnesses and infections. 85 percent of Americans are vitamin deficient.  Exercising outdoors yields better physical gains than indoor exercise.

Mental Health.

When trying to solve a difficult problem, or trying to overcome a creative block, taking a walk outside can help boost creativity and mental clarity. One study shows that taking a walk increased the participant’s creativity by 81 percent. 3 Among people with ADHD, spending time in nature lead to increased scores on concentration tests and improved focus. In his book, Last Child in the Woods. Richard Louv coined the term “Nature Deficit Disorder” which he uses to explain a host of behavioral problems he believes to be a result of children not spending enough time outdoors.

Emotional Health.

Spending time in nature can improve your mood and self-esteem. A general analysis of 10 separate studies show that spending as little as 5 minutes’ outdoors can have a measurable impact on a person's’ mood and self-esteem. 4 This can help explain the success of outdoor youth programs such as Outward Bound. Hiking and general wilderness exploration can give people a sense of accomplishment and connection to the natural world. The sound of running water or the sight of a placid lake tend to inspire a sense of calm and peace almost instantly. This has been recognized for a long time and even marketed in sounds of nature and recordings for meditation CDs.

Spiritual Health.

Spirituality means many things to different people. When our physical, mental, and emotional health are improved it tends to give us a sense of overall well-being. When spiritual experiences and revelations are described by people of almost any faith, they almost invariably take place in some natural setting, whether that be the banks of a river, among beautiful trees or a remote cave. We humans are a part of the natural world and our separation from it has measurable detrimental effects.

For the young and able bodied getting out into the wilderness and exploring the natural world can lead to the most rewarding adventures and experiences available. From Alaska to Hawaii and everywhere in between, there is so much to see and explore. Dogsledding in Alaska to hiking the volcanoes of Hawaii can lead to transformative experiences in your life, though you might want to look into Hawaii's car insurance requirements before planning your trip. Even senior citizens can benefit from time outdoors. Just walking or gardening can drastically improve health and well-being. There isn’t a person alive who couldn’t reap some reward from getting outside and exploring our wonderful world. So get outside; it’s good for the soul!