BETTER
SLEEP
Typically, your body's internal clock follows the
sun, making you feel awake during the daytime and
sleepy at night. Although artificial illumination can
mimic natural light, direct sunlight has 200 times
the intensity of office lights in a closed room.
Taking advantage of sunlight can improve your
sleep by:
• Helping you feel more tired at night
• Shortening the time it takes for you to fall asleep
• Improving the quality of your rest
A yoga break in the backyard or time in the park
with the family can also promote better rest and
help stabilize your emotional health.
INCREASED OVERALL
WELLBEING
Being outdoors can be of great benefit to improve
emotional wellbeing.
Spending time in a natural environment benefits a
variety of components of emotional wellbeing
such as:
• Positive affect, or capacity to experience positive
emotions
• Positive social interactions
• Decreases in mental distress
IMPROVED COGNITION
AND CREATIVITY
People of all ages may also feel a sense of
heightened creativity after enjoying the great
outdoors.
The outdoor world is filled with sights, sounds,
and smells that ignite curiosity and invite active
exploration, discovery, and new experiences.
Effects of spending time outdoors include:
• Improved concentration
• Increased cognitive functioning
• increased creativity
LESS
RUMINATION
Sometimes, you need a brain break. Going outside
can help shake off unhealthy thought patterns, such
as overthinking and ruminating over issues.
Activities that are positive and engaging, such as
spending time outdoors, can effectively break the
cycle of rumination.
WHEN NATURE
ISN'T ACCESSIBLE
Spending time in nature can be a reliable moodbooster.
That said, a tranquil natural setting, like a
coastline or forest, isn't accessible to everyone.
If you live in a city, you can still get the benefits of
going outside!
Any outdoor place where you can soak up some sun
will provide Vitamin D, and benefits can be found
from spending time in any outdoor environment that
feels rejuvenating to you.
This can include:
• A public park
• A local zoo
• An artificial lake
• A rooftop
• A community garden
The take-home message? Enjoy whatever outdoor
space you can, and you're likely to experience a
mental health lift.
Spending time outdoors is fun for many, but did you
know about the great benefits it can have for your
mental health?
Learn about all of the amazing effects a walk in the park
or a meditation session outside can have on you this fall.
THE
GREAT
Source: Healthline
WELLNESS 6