Nature Benefits Your Health – Nature Makes You Healthier And Happier

By Health Tips Now

Whether you work indoors or live in a city, you are probably not as often in nature as people generations before you were. Today, the majority of people live in congested and busy cities. Even those who live in the countryside or small towns often have an office work and spend their work hours inside air-conditioned buildings. Getting out of the city and going into nature benefits both your physical and mental health.

Try it for yourself and get out into nature! There is nothing to lose, and yet nature benefits for your health are priceless!

Even if you just think about going camping or a small walk through a park, makes you feel happier, more centered, and relaxed.

Spending time in nature has been scientifically proven to help you find clarity, reduce stress levels, and rejuvenate your body and mind.

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There are a lot of studies showing that city people are much more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, and emotional issues than people who live in rural areas, working outside in nature.

A study from Stanford University, by Gregory Bratman, asked sixty volunteers to spend 50 minutes walking in urban or natural settings. Before and after the walk they filled out a psychological assessment of cognitive and affective functioning. The participants who walked through the natural settings showed improved mood and cognitive function compared to those who walked in urban, high-traffic areas at the same time. This study revealed that nature could positively effect on mental well-being. (1)

Worrying constantly or being under stress about everyday things in your life can be very dangerous to your overall mental health. This can actually, bring you to depression and is commonly found among people living in cities versus people living in rural areas.

Ming Kuo of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign says that nature is more like a multivitamin. It doesn’t just have one or two active ingredients but it provides us with all sorts of the nutrients we need. She also says that simultaneously nature benefits our health and protects us from different kinds of diseases – mental health, cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, respiratory, etc. (2)

5 Other Nature Benefits And Reasons To Spend More Time Outdoors

Clean and Fresh Air

As it turns out, indoor pollutants are far worse for your health than the outdoor pollution. According to Total Exposure Assessment Methodology study by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) levels of pollutants inside homes are 2 to 5 times higher, and occasionally more than 100 times higher, than outside regardless of whether the homes are located in highly industrial or rural areas. (3)

When you are indoors or in other polluted environments, in order to function properly, the body has to work harder to get the oxygen it needs.  This raises both blood pressure and heart rate.

Eye Health

Getting outside in nature benefits your eye health.

• Artificial Light Provokes Nearsightedness. Studies show that exposure to artificial light may negatively impact on nearsightedness. One study found that children who spent at least two hours per day outdoors had four times less chance to be nearsighted than children who spent less than one hour per day outside. So if artificial light is a problem, then the natural light is the solution.

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• Prevents Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). The term CVS is used to describe eye problems caused by staring at a screen for a long time. So, if you watch TV when you’re not working or if you work on a computer then you’re at risk of developing CVS symptoms such as dry/red eyes, headaches, eye irritation, double vision, blurred vision, and back or neck pain.  Getting in nature and focusing on objects far from your face can prevent and even reverse these symptoms.

Read more about 7 Most Important Eye Vitamins And Best Foods For Your Eye Health

Vitamin D

Since the sun supplies us with Vitamin D this is one of the most obvious reasons to get outside! By helping maximize calcium absorption, this hormone promotes bone and dental health. Also, it is essential to maintaining a healthy immune system. It can also elevate mood and reduce the risk of stroke, heart disease, cancer, diabetes, autoimmune disorders, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s and more. Vitamin D by literally relaxing your blood vessels lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

Improved Sleep

Your internal body clock regulates your sleep patterns. This is called the circadian rhythm which is naturally tied to the sun’s schedule. Increased exposure to artificial light and spending too much time inside can alter your circadian rhythms.

Getting a dose of sunlight every day, can help you feel relaxed and refreshed by helping regulate melatonin production. Melatonin is a hormone, produced in the pineal gland, which controls your body’s internal clock. The right amount of melatonin provides a good night’s sleep.

Exercise

Sitting too much can result in increased blood pressure, decreased bone density, impaired fat burning capacity, and a shortened life span. On the other hand, exercise can help prevent or improve heart disease, obesity, type II diabetes, strokes, osteoporosis, back pain, and a host of psychological disorders. Cyclists and people who run outside use more energy than those on treadmills. They enjoy it more, and consequently, will do it for longer periods.

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This article appeared first at Health Tips Now and appears here with permission. Like on Facebook!