Electronic devices are more and more present in our current society: it is now difficult to do without our phones, tablets, computers, etc. However, in recent years, we have become more and more aware of the perverse effects of spending too much time on our electronic devices. Whether it is the reduction in quality time with the family, the lack of disconnection between work and home or even sleep problems, there can be harmful effects to these technologies.
There are plenty of ways to try to get rid of our favorite toys, but the one that wins the day, in my opinion, is spending time in nature!
Here are 6 of the best reasons to do outdoor activities:
- The outdoors increases your sense of well-being
If you've been feeling a little more listless for the past few days, it's high time to visit a green place! Indeed, a recent survey has shown that spending just 20 minutes a day in a park will increase your sense of well-being by 64%! Add physical activity to this outing and you will benefit more!
2. The outdoors make it easier to sleep
If you're having trouble falling asleep, it seems that just getting some fresh air will improve your quality of sleep. Indeed, according to Stanford Medicine, spending time outdoors would help regulate body temperature and circadian rhythm.
3. The outdoors would decrease anxiety, stress and depression
It seems that the best remedy for various mental health problems would be to spend time in kind. Why? Of studies have shown that the simple act of walking in a green environment significantly decreases the level of cortisole, a stress hormone. Although it is vital in our daily activities, this hormone can sometimes be in too high concentration causing certain mental health disorders.
4. The outdoors will increase your immune system
If you are prone to a variety of illnesses on a recurring basis, spending time in nature may benefit you.
Personalized recherches suggest that forests are particularly beneficial for the immune system through the release of phytoncides by plants. The phytoncide would "boost" our white cells, or our protective cells.
In addition, exposure to UV rays would increase our resistance to viruses and increase our vitamin D levels.
5. The outdoors would increase your social interactions
Human beings are social creatures who require minimal social contact (the pandemic has taught us a tip or two about this, hasn't it?).
Whether it's a simple hello when we meet someone on our hike or a bike ride with friends, outdoor outings allow us to meet people who are in a good mood and in a relaxed state of mind. .
6. The outdoors would increase creativity
Who hasn't had a genius idea or even a way to solve a problem when going outdoors? It's quite common and it's the calm of our state of mind at this time that would trigger it all.
Our daily activities as well as our dependence on technology would adversely affect our ability to concentrate. Fortunately, it seems that contact with nature would allow us to restore our attention, and therefore increase our creativity.
Optimal time
You might be wondering, "It's all well and good, but how much time do you have to spend outdoors to reap these many benefits?" ".
A survey has shown that spending only 2 hours per week would be ideal for optimizing physical AND mental health. The beauty in all of this is that it would seem that this period does not need to be divided evenly throughout the week. Which means that, for people who live in urban places with few green spaces nearby, the simple fact of devoting your Sunday morning in a green space would have all the desired benefits!
So what are you waiting for to add one or more outdoor activities to your schedule?
