In today’s world, an increasing number of people are spending most of their time indoors, largely due to being surrounded by technology. While we can communicate easier than ever now, the quality of communication is quickly decreasing causing many of us to feel more disconnected than ever before. Heading outdoors not only can help us feel more connected to life; it brings many other benefits – these are just a few of the reasons to go beyond those four walls and surround yourself in nature, so when you’re looking for that Lake Tahoe real estate, you can envision yourself out there, enjoying the great outdoors near your new home.
It Relieves Stress
Going for a walk, especially if you can enjoy a stroll through nature, perhaps on a beach or through the woods, is great for stress relief. In fact, one study published in the Journal of Physiological Anthropology, looked at the cortisol levels, nervous system balance and immune system response of participants who went for a walk in the woods as compared to being in a city environment. The experts found that cortisol levels and blood pressure were both significantly reduced.
Improves Health and Well-Being
While reducing stress is great for your health, outdoors offering even more benefits to the body as it encourages you to connect with your mind, body, and soul. In turn, that helps to encourage healing from all sorts of ailments. If you suffer from any stress-related condition in particular, like chronic pain or a digestive disorder, insomnia, anxiety and/or depression, being among nature is a great way to break the cycle, relieving symptoms in a way that’s much healthier than pharmaceutical medications.
You’ll Be More Creative
Psychologists from the University of Kansas and the University of Utah found that backpackers managed to score 50 percent better on a creativity test after they spend four days outside in nature without the use of any electronic gadgets like a smartphone or laptop. The researchers noted that interacting with nature provides measurable benefits when it comes to tasks like creative problem solving that hadn’t been seen in studies before.
Improved relationships
Spending time outdoors among picturesque scenery, perhaps hiking to a waterfall or building sandcastles on the beach, without the interruption of your phone or other electronic devices, helps to encourage face-to-face communication while instilling a mutual appreciation that can help cultivate better relationships.
Get an Energy Boost
When you’re rowing low on steam, instead of grabbing another cup of coffee, consider skipping the caffeine and getting outdoors instead. Research has shown that spending just 20 minutes in the fresh air provides an energy boost that’s similar to drinking one cup of coffee.
Strengthen Your Immune System
Scientists believe that breathing in phytoncides, which are airborne chemicals plants produce, helps to boost levels of white blood cells in the body which aids us in fighting off diseases and infections.
Get Your Vitamin D
When you get outdoors, you’ll get your daily dose of vitamin D. Millions of people are said to be deficient in this important nutrient, and a deficiency is linked to many different health problems, some that are serious like bone loss and cancer. It’s also important for keeping inflammation in check and for a healthy head of hair as a deficiency can negatively impact growth and even result in hair loss. As our skin produces vitamin D when exposed to the sun (more than 90 percent of our vitamin D comes from casual sunlight exposure), it’s important to get outside for at least 15 minutes every day.