Time to Touch Some Grass – Amazing Benefits of Going Outside
When people say go touch some grass, they’re actually giving some powerful, life-changing advice. There are some unexpected yet amazing benefits of going outside we have to talk about.
Keep reading to find out the mental and physical benefits of going outside. Plus, learn how to get the most out of your time in nature.
Benefits of Going Outside
Learning why you should do something is better than just being told to do something. Here are the mental and physical benefits of going outside and touching some grass.
Mental Benefits
These mental benefits of the great outdoors are amazing. Just 10 to 15 minutes outside can help you in so many different ways!
Stress Management
Stress is a silent enemy, slowly wearing down your mind and body. This is the leading cause of cortisol in the body which is linked to high levels of inflammation that can cause disease. Going outside for a couple of minutes is a great way to manage stress. People who are outdoors more often have less cortisol and adrenaline levels than people who stay indoors.
Focus More
A lot of us may experience brain fog. That’s where going outside comes into play. Green landscapes and The Great outdoors can help us increase mental clarity and improve attention. Some studies have even found that being outside in nature can help children with ADHD improve concentration.
Boost in Mood
Studies have found that people who are outside have fewer mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and stress when compared to people who stay indoors all the time. This means that being outside can increase your happiness chemicals easily.
Increased Creativity
Increases in creativity and problem-solving ability are linked to more time outside. Haven’t you noticed that when you are facing a challenge or problem, going outside and taking a few deep breaths of fresh air can help nudge your brain in the right direction to help you find solutions?
Boost in Life Satisfaction
People who spend more time outside report an increase in overall life satisfaction. In other words, the more time you’re outside, the more likely you are to think that your life is lovely and awesome. In general, being outside and doing small activities such as walking or hiking can slowly but surely improve overall wellness.
Physical Benefits
We’ve talked about the mental benefits of being outside, but did you know that there are also physical benefits? Here they are.
Stronger Immune System
Going outside can help you gain a better immune system. This is shown in research. Young children who are let outside more often experience less illness later on in life than children who spend more time indoors. This is because their kids may be exposed to certain things that can help their immune system function properly. Plants, for example, release chemicals such as phytoncides which have been shown to boost immune function.
Manage Blood Pressure
People who are outdoors more tend to have lower blood pressure than people who spend more time indoors. This may be due to the fact that being outside can help manage stress, reducing cortisol levels. A reduction in cortisol is great for cardiovascular health, which is directly linked to blood pressure.
Increase in Vitamin D
Vitamin D is essential in many biological processes, from metabolism to bone health and more. Vitamin D is also called the Sunshine vitamin because it is created in the skin when we are exposed to sunlight. Spending more time outside can help boost this essential vitamin. Just make sure you’re using Sun production if you are going outside during the most intense parts of the day such as the afternoon.
Boost in Vision
Outside can help improve vision greatly. One study found that people who go outside can reduce the risk of nearsightedness or myopia. This is because focusing on things in the distance can help train the eyes and strengthen the surrounding eye muscles.
Improved Sleep
Finally, and one of the most important things, being outside can help you recalibrate your internal clock or your circadian rhythm. This is a light-dependent system that relies on natural light. This plays a key role in your sleeping and waking. Going outside helps to recalibrate this system which can allow you to get a good night’s sleep. Sleep is vital to health, as shown in this article here. We need to prioritize sleep whenever possible and going outside is an easy way to do that.
Go Touch Some Grass – A How-to Guide
By definition, going outside means getting out of your indoor habitat and exploring the world around you. If someone says it’s time to touch grass, that means get offline, leave the internet behind, and stuff into the real world. You don’t actually have to touch grass, but there’s nothing wrong with doing that. Connect with nature, step on the ground, leave your phone behind, hug a tree. Take some mindful breaths, counting your inhalations and exhalations. Be present in the moment, thinking about what you see, feel, taste, hear, and smell. Just exist for a couple of moments, not thinking of future worries or past issues. Just be.
The Takeaway
I don’t know about you, but I think it’s time for me to go outside. There are just way too many benefits to simply getting out and experiencing The Great outdoors. Maybe the real friends we made along the way are grass.
Remember that health comes from within. Eat nutritious food, exercise when you can, and take care of your mental health. The small daily habits you cultivate become the basis for overall wellness. Don’t forget about microbiota health too! Gut microbiota affects the entire body, from the skin to muscles, to immune and mental health! Get all the resources you need about microbiota health for free here!
