Why Spending Time Outdoors is Good for You!

As we get into Spring and the weather gets warmer, spending time outside becomes more and more comfortable. But it’s not just about comfort! Studies have proven that time outdoors can make a real difference in your health and your mood, even in the colder weather.

A minimum of two hours a week spent in nature, either at one time or over several visits, can significantly increase your health and wellbeing. Two hours may sound like a lot when you’re balancing school, work, and personal time, but your health is worth the investment!

Here are just a few of the noted health benefits*:

A greater sense of calm
Higher levels of hormones that promote happiness, such as endorphins and dopamine
Renewed focus and concentration
Less depression and anxiety
Decreased irritability
Reduced levels of stress hormones, like cortisol
Lower blood pressure
Additional production of Vitamin D, which is important for your bones, blood cells, and immune system

Being outdoors can even boost your creativity. If you’re stuck on a problem or have writer’s block for a work assignment, get outside! Spending some time in nature can help when it comes to thinking about your challenge; new ideas will come to you with the cool, fresh air.

*Source: https://wellness.mcmaster.ca/7-benefits-of-spending-time-in-nature/

Combating SAD

It’s no secret that the winter blues are real. Some people even exhibit what is known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is related to shorter days and fewer hours of sunlight.

However, time outside, even when it’s cold, can help with SAD. Taking a walk for as little as a half hour after waking up is a wonderful way to take in some fresh air and sunlight. In fact, even if it’s cloudy, natural light has a much stronger positive effect than artificial light.

Kids Love the Outdoors*

For children, the benefits of being outdoors may even be greater than for adults. Here are just a few of the potential benefits outdoor activities can bring for kids:

Encouragement of activity and exercise
Stress relief and stronger ability to build resilience
Increased cognition and ability to focus
Increased creativity by playing with whatever is at hand, such as plants, sticks, and stones
Stronger verbal and social skills when playing with other kids
Sensory stimulation provided by different sounds and colors
Improved impulse control and reduced aggression

*Source: https://www.earlylearningventures.org/learning-in-the-outdoor-environment/

Staying Present

To maximize the health benefits of being in nature, try your best to be present. Take deep breaths as you walk and pause to listen to the sounds around you. This works best if you have a wooded trail nearby, where you can immerse yourself in the sounds of nature.

It can also work on a city sidewalk! Let the sounds you’ve relegated to background noise—traffic, nearby conversations, etc.—into your mind one by one and hold them in place. Combining mindfulness with outdoor living is a great way to relax!

Take Your Workout Outdoors

While a walk in the woods will help reduce stress, you can also try moving your more rigorous workouts outdoors. Regular patterns of outdoor exercise can reduce the risk of mental health problems by up to 50%.

If you work from home, taking a short walking break will help a lot with restoring your focus and reducing stress! Talk a walk in the park or go for a run on a new trail.

When it comes to time outdoors, Bahia Verde has your back!

Bahia Verde outdoor furniture is built to last no matter what the weather brings, so you don’t have to put it away every season. That means we quite literally have your back with our extensive lineup of Adirondack chairs, outdoor tables, and fireside arrangements that provide a place to relax and connect with loved ones.

Cape Classic Adirondack, Side Table and Ottoman 12 pc Set in Mangrove Brown

Celebrate the start of Spring with conversation sets that promote times of bonding with friends and family. We’ve already mentioned our fireside set, but another excellent option is our bench , table , and two chair set! Available with either a 4ft or 5ft bench, this bundle facilitates intimate gatherings or game nights with a table for convenience.

Riverside Garden Bench 5ft, 2 Garden Chairs and Conversation Table Set in Cove Gray

Besides the furniture items themselves, all our options come in bright, summer-inspired colors that can also call to mind the fresh flowers of Spring! With Palm Green, Sunbeam Yellow, Citrus Orange, and more, you should be able to find an outdoor chair color that matches the freshly blooming flowers in your garden! To get a free sample of Bahia Verde’s color choices, sign up for our newsletter.