Get Out and Enjoy Nature

It seems the world continues to change and more and more individuals continue to find work inside rather than working outdoors. WIth all the fluorescent lights and computers many individuals then go home to enjoy a night in front of the old T.V. With little outdoor time, many may suffer from psychological and physical health issues. Perhaps many say that they are doing fine and do not need to spend time outside but now there is scientific reasoning that spending time outside enjoying nature is beneficial to health.

While many have good reasons why they work and live in big cities there are reasons as well to justify getting out and enjoying nature. Nature can help improve physical and mental health so that we function and do our jobs in life better. Most areas that people live in have resources such as walking trails, the chance to get out and play in the snow or ocean or even local parks that offer the chance to get outside.

Interested in aiding your own personal health?? Here are some great reasons that getting outside will help

• Issues with short term memory can be helped by taking nature walks. Yes there are other walks that take place inside but getting out in nature has been proven to provide more memory promoting effects. One study conducted by the University of Michigan divided a group of individuals into two groups. Each group was given a test to take. Following the test the groups were told to walk in one of two places.  One group was provided the opportunity to walk around inside and the other the chance to get outside for a walk. The test was given again with results of the test showing that those who walked in nature did better than the other group

• Stress can not be denied it has an effect on our daily lives as well as our bodies. Nature can help with stress in our lives and bodies as well. The results of one study showed that getting in nature for a short camping trip can lower the levels of a hormone known as cortisol. Cortisol is present when stress is present in the body. Physical conditions such as heart rate can decrease by spending time in nature as well. No chance to spend time enjoying nature?? Then open the windows so that a view of nature can be seen this has been proven to help lower stress and offer higher satisfaction in life. 

• Getting out and spending time in nature can help relieve inflammation in our bodies. Inflammation causes our bodies to be sick in many different ways including autoimmune disorder, inflammatory bowel disease, depression and even caner. Would it not be wonderful if we could get out in nature enjoy the beauty and help our physical condition as well. The results of taking a week long trip in the forest with a group of elderly individuals resulted in signs of inflammation reducing. 

• Another health issue that affects many of us is "mental fatigue". Getting out into the great outdoors has the ability to help restore our minds to better working abilities. Again simply being able to look out the window at nature has been proven to help brighten up mental energy. 

• Mental health issues of anxiety and depression have been proven to be eased by spending time in nature. A bit of exercise in nature has been proven to improve conditions even more .  For example, taking a walk out in nature can decrease both levels of anxiety and bad moods. One study showed that walking outside in nature can improve existing treatments in major depressive disorder patients. 

I am in hopes that you are able to get out and enjoy a bit of nature. I also hope you enjoy the pictures of beautiful southern Illinois.