During this global pandemic, you are probably feeling like you’ve been cooped up inside forever. You may be feeling an increase in anxiety or depression, especially if you struggled with either before. However, there is good news!
Even though you still have to practice social distancing and remain home, you can still enjoy the outdoors. In fact, the mental health benefits of being outside are staggering! Getting outside to enjoy some fun in the sun may be exactly what you need right now, the perfect activity to heal.
You don’t even need to go take a long hike or expansive walk. Spending any time outside around any green space can give you the same healing benefits. (Harvard)
How exactly does nature help?
Basically, the area of your brain responsible for repetitive thoughts, especially thoughts around negative emotions, is less active when you are outside. Going outside gets you out of the negative emotions loop.
The sounds of the wind, birds, or the rustling of the trees have a calming effect, lowering your body’s stress hormone, cortisol.
So what does being outside do for us? For our mental health?
-Improves our mood
-Reduces feelings of stress or anger
-Helps us to gain perspective
-Gives our brain a break from negative thoughts
-Reduces the stress hormone, cortisol
-Increases vitamin d in our bodies
Want a pro tip?
Take off your shoes and just stand barefoot on the grass with your eyes closed. Breathe in and out 10 times with the sun on your face. You may even feel better just picturing it!
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