Mental Benefits Of Getting Outdoors & Moving MoreWe enjoy getting outdoors for a walk each morning. There are so many benefits to this activity for our health and wellbeing. Today we want to share with you The Three Major Mental Benefits Of Getting Outdoors And Moving More. Being physically active has been shown to have a significant benefit to how we feel. In fact, exercise is believed to be about as beneficial an anti-depressant in the treatment of mild to moderate depression. Here is an article from the Harvard Health Letter - Exercise is an all-natural treatment to fight depression to provide more details on this topic - https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/exercise-is-an-all-natural-treatment-to-fight-depression Keeping the body active has been shown to curb daily depression and over time has shown promising figures on keeping depression at bay. It is important to keep up with a consistent fitness practice. Make your movement practice a lifestyle and not a temporary fix. While it is not necessary to do vigorous exercises, it is important to recognize your mood when doing these physical movements. A recent study conducted by JAMA Psychiatry showed that “Participants showed a 26% decrease in odds for becoming depressed for each major increase in objectively measured physical activity.” Overall, collective studies have shown that people report a higher degree of energy, excitement, satisfaction and self-esteem, and a lower level of tension, sadness and exhaustion when exercising on a regular basis, especially when utilizing the outdoors. People who work out outside often claim that they are more likely to exercise again than those who sit indoors. The following benefits of outdoor activities can lead you to you feeling your best in no time: • Soak in the sunshine -- Analysis heavily suggests that vitamin D has been shown to have a more positive impact on your internal mood as opposed to remaining in artificial light. While researchers are still studying what vitamin D can do for our bodies, multiple reports have stated that it can shield us from a wide variety of illnesses, from osteoporosis and cancer to heart attacks and depression. A study conducted by Brigham Young University research center concluded, “Getting some sun (10-15 minutes) a week increases your serotonin and helps you stave off Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) and sun exposure can also help people with anxiety and depression, especially in combination with other treatments.” More research has shown that three-quarters of Americans were coming up short on Vitamin D. No matter what the weather is, take the time to go outside and breathe the fresh air. Your mind will thank you for the much-needed respite. • Put down the electronics -- Being inside, it is naturally more enticing to be sedentary than if you are outside. Studies have shown that our brains are wired from a noticeably young age to understand that being outside means moving around and indoors bringing calmer activities, such as reading or watching tv. Some activities could look like spending more time walking to local area stores if possible, plant a garden, sweep the yard, or other things that can keep you up and away from your screen. Children are particularly at risk of consuming large quantities of television, playing video games or using tablets. NPR.org reported as of 2017, “42 percent of young children now have their very own tablet device – up from seven percent four years ago.” A great way to encourage yourself and your family to exercise together. Head out and make some fun memories. If I could give you one tip today for the best life of your children is this tip. Get them off the computers, tablets and especially the games. There is nothing about this activity which is good or beneficial for children. • Utilizing Green Exercise – Dr. Georgina Harper from Wales collected a multitude of information to better understand exactly how being outside really does affect the mood. Among many interesting conclusions, Dr. Harper reported, “Green Exercise connects people to nature in their local areas, often through collective activities with social benefits. It is one of the most cost-effective ways of improving physical and mental wellbeing.” Furthermore, researchers in Britain have worked on the theory that fitness, in general, provides additional mental health benefits. Appropriately calling this the 'green workout.' These researchers have found that even five minutes of exercise in nature will help you feel better. Other studies have demonstrated that children, under 18, with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) can focus more quickly and return to “base level” in a much shorter time when being outside and engaging in physical activity. This is a great time to gather up the family and go for a bike ride or a walk to the park. Encouraging each other and spending time together will leave smiles on everyone. Whatever activity you choose for yourself, remember to check in with physical health first. If you are more limited, even a walk around the neighbourhood is always beneficial. If your up for a bigger challenge, try a light jog to the store. Use this time to relax mentally. Find your baseline. As Author Elle Sommer once said, “Don’t let the circumstances of your life dictate how you feel. A good mood does not have to depend on external conditions. Peace of mind comes the moment you choose to be peaceful with any situation.” Your feedback is invaluable! We'd love to hear from you! Share your thoughts, ideas, or comments below, and let's continue to inspire each other on our paths to wellness. If you ever need guidance or support, don't hesitate to reach out. We recently wrote a blog post that might interest you here - Craft a Life Aligned with Your Core Values - https://bit.ly/3UZ8FG7 We're here to help you thrive every step of the way. Let's Build Health & Fitness - Join Our Newsletter Today! Sign Up Today! https://bit.ly/42Hf0aR
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