[GOING OUTSIDE IS HEALTHY]-- 3 min read

Hello Warriors!

Today, we are continuing our “Be Healthy” series. Over the last several weeks we have been looking at what constitutes being healthy holistically in society today. I want to make a note of last week’s blog post; Mental Health is such an important component in being healthy. My friend, Alexis, wrote a great overview of mental health as it relates to being healthy and I want to assure you, reader, that we know there is a lot more that can be said on the subject. However, I felt that Mental Health has so much to be said about it that we should do a whole segment on it at a later time.

Having said that, today’s topic is wellness; specifically, the benefits of going outside. Nature offers one of the most reliable boosts to your mental and physical well-being. Let’s take a deeper look at why going out side is healthy!

Why Is Going Outside Healthy?

Many of us have experienced the benefits of going outside but have never seen the actual science behind why we are experiencing them. There are varies studies that have been done regarding the effects of nature on the well-being of humans. Studies have found that going outside can:

-improve short term memory; [i]

-restore mental energy;[ii]

-relieve stress;[iii]

-reduce inflammation;[iv]

-improve concentration;[v]

-boost your immune system; [vi]

-improve mental health;[vii]

And reduce risk of early death. [viii]

These are just a few of the benefits from going outside. Science shows that spending time in the great outdoors can actually make you healthier. Escaping to the woods, mountains or even your neighborhood park helps both your body and your brain.

Ways to Implement Intentionally Going Outside into Your Routine:

The answer to reaping the benefits of going outside seems simple: just do it. Sometimes, we can get so caught up in our lives that we are not intentional about being outside. For example, you can leave your house to run some errands or even take the dog on a walk but never really take in the beauty that is around you. I am guilty of doing this. My time outside becomes more of a chore or an inconvenience than a relaxing time to refresh my mind, body and spirit. Here are some ways you can be intentional about going outside:

-go for a bike ride

-watch the sunset

-walk your dog AND take time to be present

-go to the beach if you live by the beach

-do yoga outside (either at the park or in your backyard)

-go for a run

-go for a Hike (my personal favorite)

-have dinner in your backyard

-walk in nature

Etc.

There are so many ways you can go outside, these are just a few ways I go outside. Remember, the key to going outside and getting the benefits from doing so is being present and intentional. Even if you go outside for 15 minutes, as long as you are present and taking in all mother nature has to offer, you will gain some of the benefits listed above.

Now its time to go outside and Keep Up The Fight!

Matt and I after a Hike in Los Angeles.

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We offer a variety of services specifically for Diabetics which include but are not limited to: Health and wellness coaching, nutrition coaching, diabetic education, fitness training, mindset training, supportive online community of like-minded diabetics, and so much more! Want more info? Check us out here: 

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KEEP UP THE FIGHT!

[i] http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-9280.2008.02225.x

[ii] http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272494405000381

[iii] http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02827580701262733

[iv] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22948092

[v] http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/1087054708323000

[vi] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2793341/

[vii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3393816/

[viii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2566234/