10 Amazing Health Benefits of Spending Time in Nature

Are there any health benefits to being outside in nature? Of course, there are. Nearly everything about nature is good for you.

Actually, the sunshine does wonders for you in moderate amounts. When you spend more time in nature, you’re going to feel the benefits immediately. There’s no reason to avoid going outside. If you live in a city, you’ll want to head to a park for some fresh air and sunshine. On the other hand, if you’ve got plenty of nature in your backyard, you’ve got a wonderful place to improve your health waiting for you.

1. Start Your Day in Nature, and You’ll Start with a Great Mood

Find a place where you can walk, exercise, or simply enjoy the nature around you, and you’ll enjoy a much better mood throughout the day. Nature tends to have a calming effect on us, and if you allow your worries to wash away while you enjoy your time in the outdoors, you’ll start your day off the right way. Others will also notice your improved mood that results from being outside in nature every morning.

2. Being in Nature Improves Your Short-Term Memory

It might sound a little odd, but if you want to improve your working and short-term memory, spend more time outdoors. You could go fishing, take a bike ride through a state park, walk down a nature trail, or simply sit by a lake and take everything in. Your short-term memory can get a lot better when you do this; at least, that’s what a study from the University of Michigan concluded.

3. Being in Nature Lowers Your Blood Pressure

One of the direct health benefits of being in nature is that your blood pressure lowers, as does your cortisol level. Cortisol is the hormone responsible for stress, and with lower stress, you also enjoy lowered blood pressure. If you typically suffer from high blood pressure, you should certainly spend more time outside walking in nature with only the songbirds, flowers, and trees around you. You don’t have to spend hours every day in nature; only a couple of hours per week can be extremely therapeutic.

4. Being in Nature Leads to Weight Loss

It’s not a magical pill, and there’s more to it than simply getting out into nature to lose weight, but it helps. Many people have reported enjoying exercising much more when they are out in the wilderness during their workouts. Hiking can help you lose weight, especially if you hike to higher altitudes where your metabolism will speed up, and your appetite could decrease. Also, when you get outdoors and away from your office or home, you won’t have food as readily available, which might cut down on the mindless eating that many of us do.

5. You’ll Experience Increased Levels of Vitamin D by Being in Nature

Although too much sun can lead to damaged skin and potentially skin cancer, being in the sun for 15 to 20 minutes o day can allow you to absorb a good amount of vitamin D to help strengthen bones and reduce the risk of cancer, type 1 diabetes, and multiple sclerosis. It’s good to get outside and enjoy some sunshine every day.

6. Nature Can Give You an Improved Feeling of Confidence and Self-Esteem

When you get outside and enjoy some time in nature, you can see a larger world around you than what you find in your job or at your house. This larger world is something you’re a part of, and that can make you feel more confident. The feeling of confidence is one of the best health benefits of being out in nature. Give your self-esteem a boost and get outside to spend some time in nature where you’ll feel great and ready to take on whatever the world has for you.

7. Nature is a Natural Immune Booster

Like it or not, the fresh air of the outdoors has amazing benefits for your immune system that can help you feel much better and fight off potential sicknesses and infections. Many people that spend lots of time indoors end up feeling awful and sick more often than those that get outside and enjoy what nature has to offer. One of the most important health benefits of nature is the antimicrobial compounds in the air from the plants that help protect them and can also help protect you.

8. If You’re Feeling Anxious or Depressed, Get Outside and Enjoy Nature

A walk in the park, a hike by the lake, or a bike ride on some nature trails are all great ways to get rid of the feelings of anxiety and depression. You’ll reduce the symptoms and feelings of these two challenges by simply heading out into the wilderness for some time with the trees and plants found in the forest. It’s hard to feel bad when you’re surrounded by such a wonderful natural world around you.

9. Common Aging Problems Are Reduced by Spending Time in Nature

As we age, some of us tend to slow down and avoid being active. This is the opposite of what you should do. One of the greatest health benefits of spending time in nature is heading outside every day. This is a great way for someone in their 70s to reduce the signs of aging, especially from common aging pains and problems. Those aching bones and joints are stronger than ever for those who get outside every day versus those who don’t.

10. Time in Nature Can Improve Your Sleep

If you’re having trouble sleeping, some of that could stem from overstimulation from too much screen time. One way to get away from screen time and improve your sleep is to get out in the wilderness and take a hike. Better sleep patterns are one of the greatest health benefits of spending time in nature. Your body can regulate your sleep patterns better when the sun goes down, and you’re ready to head off to sleep for the night.

Get out in the wilderness and enjoy what nature has to offer. Spending time outside offers many health benefits that can make being in nature something you want to do as often as possible.