I love being outside and spending time in nature. I spend some time outdoors almost every day, usually walking — rain, shine, snow, fog… doesn’t matter! Even when I plan trips, I plan around nature (and good vegan food!).
I encourage you to get outside, get some daylight exposure, and spend some time in blue-green spaces (a garden, forest, mountain, lake, ocean, greenhouse etc.). If you need some reasons to do so, they’re listed below some pictures I took from a trip to the Bruce Peninsula this year:
- Regulates cortisol (our stress hormone) levels
- Decreases blood pressure
- Improves mood and mental health — anxiety and depression scores
- May support vitamin D levels (depending on sunlight exposure, time of year, genetics etc.)
- Improves pain (tolerance)
- Regulates our circadian rhythm/biological clock
- Improves sleep quality
- Provides a chance to be mindful, offering perspective on life
Most of these reasons stem from research done on the practice of forest-bathing, from the Japanese “shinrin yoku”. So, get outside, folks; even a few minutes can be helpful!
