In today’s world, a lot of us spend most of our time indoors. Whether it’s because of school or work, we tend to overlook the numerous advantages of spending time outside and immersing ourselves in nature. Let’s take a closer look at what we’re missing out on!

1. Improve Sleep

Our body has a natural internal clock known as the circadian rhythm, which is regulated by exposure to sunlight. During the day, the body feels more alert and awake, while at night, it feels tired and ready for sleep.

To reset the circadian rhythm, it is recommended to wake up early in the morning and expose your eyes to sunlight. This helps to synchronize the body’s internal clock with the external environment. Additionally, spending time outside during the day and exposing yourself to sunlight can help improve the quality of your sleep by regulating the production of melatonin, a hormone that helps to regulate sleep. The great thing about being outside and in nature, everybody has access to it! 

2. Boost Mood  

Spending too much time indoors can have a negative impact on your mood and overall well-being. If you’re feeling down or anxious, getting outside and soaking up some sun can help improve your mood and ease symptoms of depression.

During the winter months, when sunlight is less prevalent, people with seasonal depression may experience more intense feelings of sadness and hopelessness. Sunlight is essential for the production of vitamin D3, which plays a crucial role in maintaining good physical and mental health. Additionally, spending time outside can help regulate your sleep patterns, which can have a positive impact on your emotional health. Experts recommend spending 20 to 30 minutes outside in the sun each day to reap the benefits without risking sun damage.

3. Enhance Immunity

Spending time outdoors and soaking up the sun can provide our body with an essential nutrient called vitamin D3, which plays a crucial role in maintaining our overall health and strengthening our immune system. Vitamin D3 is one of the key nutrients that our body requires to function optimally. However, studies suggest that a significant number of Americans, around 42%, are deficient in this vital nutrient. 

Vitamin D3 is responsible for keeping our muscles, bones, and teeth healthy. It also helps in boosting our mood, inhibiting inflammation, and preventing chronic diseases. Therefore, it is essential to get outside and expose ourselves to sunlight to increase our vitamin D3 levels. By doing so, we can ensure that our body functions at its best and stays healthy in the long run.

4. Boost Your Motivation 

Exercising outdoors can be a great way to boost your motivation, especially if you’re not a fan of the gym or find indoor cardio boring. It’s a refreshing change of pace from the gym and can make exercise more enjoyable and fun. You can take in the beautiful scenery and enjoy activities like:

• Biking
• Skateboarding
• Swimming 
• Hiking 
• Playing your favorite sport with friends

There are countless options available to keep your workout routine from becoming monotonous and unenjoyable. By incorporating fun outdoor activities, you can stay motivated and committed to your routine. So, choose a fun activity and relish the experience of being outside in nature.

5. Improve Vision 

One of the most important reasons for getting outside is that it can help our vision by enabling our eyes to focus on further distances. In fact, researchers found that spending more time outside prevents short-sightedness in children, as it ensured that their eyes remained used to adapting to different visual ranges!

6. Discover New Hobbies

Exploring the outdoors and spending time in nature can be a great way to discover new hobbies and activities that you enjoy. For instance, you might try fishing for the first time and find that you absolutely love it. Or, you might discover a passion for hiking, biking, camping, or other outdoor activities that you never knew you had. By trying new things and immersing yourself in nature, you can open yourself up to a world of new experiences and hobbies that you may have never considered before!

7. Get a Natural Tan 

Who doesn’t love a golden tan? It’s time to step out and soak up some sun! But wait, don’t forget to protect your skin from damage and aging. Limit your sun exposure without sunscreen to just 20 minutes a day and you’ll be on your way to a beautiful, healthy glow without increasing your risk of skin cancer. So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and enjoy the sunshine!

The Bottom Line 

As kids, we spent most of our time outside, playing and having fun. But as adults, we tend to spend most of our time indoors, either at work, in our cars, or at home watching TV or playing video games. However, humans were not meant to be inside all day. We belong outside! Spending time outdoors is not only amazing for our body, but it can also improve and support our mental health by reducing depression and anxiety, lowering stress levels, and making us feel more relaxed and present in the moment. Additionally, it can help us feel healthier and stronger by boosting our immune system with vitamin D3. Therefore, it is important to get outdoors for at least 20 to 45 minutes a day. Choose an activity that you enjoy and that brings you happiness, and have fun while reaping the benefits of the great outdoors.