Mother Nature, la naturaleza, the great outdoors! Or, if you live in New England like I do, then you might call it, "Another Northeaster, on the first day of spring? It was just 60 degrees yesterday" or "what a nice summer day we are having this Christmas," just to name a few.
There are many ways to refer to the outdoors, but, however you talk about it, nature is often taken for granted in just how beneficial it is to our health and well-being. Going outside and enjoying nature yields many positives, not to mention it's quite inexpensive and generally pretty accessible. Here's a list of reasons that should make you want to close your computer or phone and get out that door into wilderness, no matter what you're wearing!
1.There's no better medicine than taking care of your body and that can include getting sun, exercise, fresh air, and exploration for the mind! By taking care of your body, getting essential nutrients and staying active, you are taking preventative action against some diseases and possible ailments.
2. Getting sunshine, especially early in the morning can help synchronize your internal body clock, help regulate your circadian rhythms and overall balance your energy levels. Do you really need that third cup of coffee? No, you need sunshine, but go ahead and get the coffee anyways, just to be safe.
3. Sunshine can help boost memory and mood too, so you'll be happier and remember things better, like oh, that paper that is due tonight. You should get on that...
4. High levels of Vitamin D, that can be obtained from the sun's rays, can also be excellent for skin! It is helpful in relieving things like acne, eczema and even rosacea. But not too many rays! Always wear sunscreen!
5. Another excellent reason to get outside is that adventure and exploration help your brain learn and become stronger. "Look deep into nature and then you will understand everything better," Albert Einstein once said. Just in case you needed a little extra convincing from someone with a brilliant mind.
6. You are more creative when you go outside! Far more active thinking happens when you are outside walking or taking a hike than time spent inside on your computer watching videos. A Stanford study has shown that when you spend time doing activities outside, you have more ideas and are more likely to feel creative!
So try it, go for a walk, a bike ride, maybe a sunset hike! Just try to get outside every day. Besides all the awesome, previously named benefits, the best part of spending time in nature is you will feel better the more often you do it!
