Spend some time outside
“GO PLAY OUTSIDE. GET SOME FRESH AIR.” I remember my mom telling the four of us kids to, basically, get out of the house. Although we figured out later that she needed some peace and quiet from four kids, I now realize that her words were wise and were good for us.
I have friends who barbecue their meals outside on their grill all year long. Others enjoy their morning coffee on their patios, depending on the weather. I asked them why, and they said, “It feels so good to be outside.” They said it relaxes them and they just “feel better” even if they are outside for only 20 minutes. There is a lot of truth to their outside experiences.
We spend a lot of time indoors in front of a screen. We watch the news and stream movies on our television screens, check email and texts on our phone screens, and work or make purchases on our tablets or computers. We use digital technology for just about every aspect of our lives, but sometimes it is good to consciously take a break from the indoor world of our homes or any other building. We end up spending much of our lives indoors and not outside in the natural world.
Getting outside into the natural world can be good for us. According to studies in the National Library of Medicine, we can all benefit from taking a natural break.
Nature can help us improve our thinking, reasoning, and other mental abilities When we’re in urban environments or the office all day, we can experience sensory overload, resulting in tension and mental fatigue. Studies have shown that our minds and bodies relax in a natural setting. This increases feelings of pleasure and can help us concentrate and focus more effectively.
Being outdoors can also have relaxing effects on our minds. Nature can provide a mental break by allowing us to temporarily escape the demands of everyday life. It can also boost our creativity and problem-solving abilities. For example, if you’re having a mental block writing a paper or can’t seem to solve a problem at work, step outside for a breath of fresh air. Take an easy walk around your neighborhood or office, and you just might find the answers you were looking for.
Nature can improve our physical wellness
Just being outside can lead us to walk, barbecue, read, or get involved in activities like gardening, birding, or collecting leaves or stones. People typically engage in regular physical activity when they’re in nature. Stepping outside can help you keep a healthy weight or even lose weight by increasing activity levels.
Studies have also shown that being in nature has a positive effect on our bodies by reducing muscle tension and demands on our cardiovascular systems (lowers heart rate and blood pressure). Being out in nature often may lead to lower rates of heart disease. The great outdoors can also help you increase your vitamin D level, which is important for your bones, blood cells, and immune system.
Being outside can improve our mental health Naturecanhelpdecreaseyouranxiety levels and can help lessen stress and feelings of anger. Exercise can also help this, but it’s even better when you’re outside. Going outside doesn’t cost much, and we can all profit from it.
Regular access to green spaces has been linked to lower risks of depression and improved concentration and attention. Being outside allows us to be social and come together with family, friends, or even people we don’t know who, for example, are also looking for a great hiking trail. Additionally, you may find that you sleep better when you are outside regularly. Daily exposure to natural light helps regulate sleep/ wake cycles. Making sure that you get outside in sunlight every day can improve your ability to sleep at night.
Nature can also have mental health benefits for children. A study in Denmark examined 900,000 residents born between 1985 and 2003. They found that children who lived in neighborhoods with more green space had a reduced risk of mental disorders later in life.
Natural time is receptive time. It is quite specifically restful time or restorative time spent with nature. This could be in a park, garden, or backyard. Natural time could include meditating on a cloud or sitting under a tree. It also includes intentional time spent with dogs, cats, horses, and other domesticated creatures.
The key to true natural time is being in a receptive mode where you can to listen, watch, and learn from what the laws of nature and the experience of wilderness have to teach. Scientists have shown beyond a doubt that human health is improved when we spend regular time in nature.
So, take a walk, breathe in some fresh air from your porch or backyard, and refresh your mind, body, and soul.
Sister Karen Zielinski is the Director of Canticle Studio. Canticle Studio is a part of the Sisters of St. Francis of Sylvania, OH’s overall advancement effort and has a mission of being a creative center where artists generate works, products, and services in harmony with the mission of the Sisters St. Francis. She can be reached at kzielins@sistersosf.org or 419-824-3543. ✲
