 | Hey Team, We're trading margaritas for mountains. Since the travel surge of 2021 and the recent rise in pledged sobriety amongst millennials and Gen Z’ers, retreating to nature has become the flex that nightlife used to be. A whopping 61% of both generations are aiming to drink less in 2024, citing goals of improving both physical and mental health as two of the five top reasons to ditch booze. The same age groups are traveling more than generations before them, negating the natural tendencies of settling down in the mid to late twenties. This shift is less so about stamping a passport or the thrill of packing the car for an adventure on the road, and more closely tied to the mass realization of how nature makes us feel in mind, body and spirit. It’s no surprise that spending time outdoors is good for you and the noggin sitting on your neck. The question is just how good is it? Here are the hidden benefits nature provides for your healthspan:
- Stress Reduction: Exposure to nature can lower stress levels, reduce anxiety, and promote a sense of calm. Studies have shown that spending time outdoors can lead to lower cortisol levels, the hormone associated with stress, a temporary decreased respiratory rate and lower resting heart rate. Our bodies are programmed to live within nature, any extended period spent outdoors can profoundly impact our daily metrics.
- Improved Mental Health: Nature has been linked to reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety. Activities like hiking, gardening, or simply spending time in green spaces can improve mood and overall mental well-being. Urban gardens, rooftops and even dedicated rooms filled with lively plants have been on the rise to better ground people in typically stressful environments like hospitals, medical buildings and corporate offices.
- Enhanced Immune Function: Spending time outdoors may boost the immune system. Some studies suggest that exposure to natural environments can increase the number of natural killer cells, which help fight infections. There’s also current research underway that examines the impact of nature on cancer patients and its promising impact on their recovery. Similarly, to point number one, reduced stress and cortisol in the body will lead to a lowered risk of chronic disease and inflammation.
- Better Sleep: Natural light exposure during the day can help regulate sleep patterns. Being active outdoors can also promote better sleep quality, contributing to overall health. Go for the daily double and aim to get natural sun exposure first thing in the morning to help with the regulation of your circadian rhythm, your body's natural ability to rise and sleep with the sun. Remember the saying, “fresh air will do you some good”? It’s true, breathing in oxygen from plants and natural environments will put less overall stress of your respiratory system, decrease overall oxidative stress, thus allowing your body to live in a more relaxed state. The more relaxed you are, the easier it’ll be to fall and stay asleep.
- Cognitive Clarity: Separate from our callout of improved mental health, nature has been shown to aid in a better attention span, creativity, and cognitive function. When we say cognitive function, we’re speaking to how concise and clearly your brain can operate. Are you feeling sharp or slow? Can you think clearly or are your thoughts muddied? Are you spinning up innovative ideas or are you hitting a creative block? Oftentimes my best thoughts formulate on a walk, hike or run in scenic landscapes. If you’re at your desk and frustration’s growing, get up, get to the green, and let nature do its thing.
While I bide my time in the concrete jungle I’ve turned my living corners into a real-life jungle. Next to my bike trainer sits merely just a few of my [50] plants and they’ve not only helped make the air in my home cleaner but provide me with the mental clarity that in aids my physical performance. What are you still doing it? Get out of here and naturefy yourself. Until next time. 👋
| | | Danielle Bitts
VP of Brand, Bodybuilding.com | | |
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