The Power of the Outdoors and Your Health
Time in nature isn’t a luxury. A nature deficiency is bad for your health.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American spends 93% of their life indoors, tucked inside sealed-up, insulated homes, cars, offices, etc. All that indoor life tends to dull the senses, suppress immune systems, depress spirits, increase exposure to indoor toxins and sharply increase risk for illness and disease. Not a lot of upsides to report here. The good news is that the many downsides are easily curbed simply by stepping outside, ideally, several times a day. Even if only for a few minutes at a time, it can still help turn the tide.
Much like plants which harness the sun’s rays through photosynthesis, our bodies need and use sunlight to help the skin produce the vitamin D necessary to build bones, tame inflammation, boost the immune system and protect against cancer.
Exposure to outdoor sunlight helps elevate our mood and regulate our circadian rhythms. And regular nature exposure in general helps boost energy and concentration. It makes you more alert to your surroundings, quieting mental chatter and swirling thoughts. The parasympathetic nervous system switches on, cortisol drops, and the brain’s prefrontal cortex — your hard-charging command center— eases up on the gas pedal as you drift into a soft-focus state of restful awareness. It’s like a mini-vacation for the mind. There’s a pay-off for the body as well. Research suggests that the aromatic chemicals released in forested areas may play a key role in turning on the immune system’s prized anti-cancer “killer T-cells” – a major bonus in our book!
Embracing a healthier lifestyle doesn't have to be overwhelming. With the right information and simple adjustments, you can significantly enhance your healthiness.
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