Spending time outside is increasingly becoming a popular way of improving the health and wellness and quality of life. Studies show that spending time outdoors during the day helps regulate the circadian rhythms of the body such as the restful and wakefulness rhythms of the body due to exposure of light.

It is becoming more increasingly known that light emitting from our phones/TVs during the evenings can disrupt this rhythm, but lack of sunlight during the day could also be to blame as well and this has everything to do with spending time outdoors or lack there of. The following are some health benefits of spending time outdoors that is backed by science.

Boost your immune system:

Spending time outdoors has been shown to help optimize the way your immune system functions. When outdoors you are exposed to non-lethal micro-organisms that "train" your immune system in a way. It helps prep your body for bigger and more serious infection. 

That being said, staying indoors and keeping your area sterile can actually backfire on your immune system. Keeping your immune system from these outdoor micro-organisms weakens it and causes it to overcompensate if and when it comes into contact with any micro-organism that comes along which in turn may lead to chronic inflammation. 

Absorption of sunlight has also been linked to increased vitamin D which can also help your immune system battle any infection or prevent illness as well!

Take some time out of your day to take a stroll around your neighbourhood or spend some time in your backyard or at the park!

 

Mental Health-

 

Electronics aren't only responsible for disrupting your sleep cycle, but studies show that being constantly bombarded with the buzzing and constant mental stimulation from our phones and television can cause stress without even realizing it! 

Taking the time to go outdoors and really enjoy your surroundings, engaging all of your senses, has proven to not only reduce stress but improve your mood over-all. Make sure to take the time and enjoy by meditating, hiking, or any other slow-paced outdoor activity.

Not only will your mood be better by spending time outdoors, it has also been studied that spending time outside can greatly reduce depression symptoms such as low energy or low mood.

Depending on the severity of the depression, it can take anywhere from 2 days to 5 weeks to see improvement of these symptoms. 

Getting enough sunlight has also proven to improve quality of sleep leading to better mood and stronger immune system as well.

Take some sun every day if possible, eat lunch outside, take a walk or sunbathe once in a while. Just remember to take the precautions and protect yourself from sunburn.

Improved sleep-

Like mentioned at the beginning of this article, our body's internal clock or circadian rhythm is often thrown off-balance because of our exposure to artificial light throughout the day!

Decreasing our exposure to these electronic lights and stepping out into the sun can vastly improve our sleep cycle leading to better quality sleep. 

Sunlight exposure can improve sleep by regulating your internal clock leading you to feeling more tired at night, falling asleep faster, and therefore improving the quality of sleep!

Spending time outside costs you nothing but time. Take some time out of your day and spend it in the sun!

 

In conclusion-

Spending time outdoors seems like a win-win for anyone. Not only is it good for your physical health, but it is also important for your mental health as well! Take some time to enjoy the outdoors and reap the benefits of what it can bring!

 

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