The Importance of Nature
Spending time in nature is widely known to have health benefits. However, there is very little research on length exposure in relation to these health benefits. In 2019, a study from the European Centre for Environment & Human Health at the University of Exeter was able to pinpoint the exact length of exposure to nature to unlock health benefits. Shockingly, the precise time needed is 120 minutes. The study showed that individuals that spent two hours a week outside- either at a park, walking around the neighborhood, or even standing in their backyard, reported an increase in feeling better. Surprisingly, the research showed that those that were unable to hit 120 minutes of exposure showed no health or psychological benefits.
So what benefits are we talking about? The list of benefits is extensive, from decreased heart rate to improved sleep. Below you’ll find 3 health benefits of spending time outside that we would like to highlight. These benefits can have a profound impact on your daily life. Improving your sleep, reducing stress and negative thoughts, and boosting your immune system can all happen with a simple walk outside. Honor yourself and increase your time outdoors.
Improved sleep
In recent years, Andrew Huberman has been largely advocating to “view morning sunlight.” He states that “viewing sunlight within the first hours of waking up can increase early-day cortisol release and prepare the body for sleep later that night.” Morning sunlight exposure is essential for regulating the body’s circadian clock. The body’s circadian rhythm controls the sleep-wake cycle. If your clock is off, it may affect how your body and brain respond to sunlight and darkness. In an article published by Harvard Health Publishing in 2020, it states that an “irregular circadian rhythm can have a negative effect on a person’s ability to sleep and function properly, and can result in a number of health problems, including mood disorders such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and seasonal affective disorder.”
Reduced negative thoughts
In 2015, a study in Proceedings of the National Academy of Science compared the brain activity of healthy people after they walked for 90 minutes outside. The study revealed that those that completed a nature walk had lower activity in the prefrontal cortex, the section of the brain that is active during rumination (where negative emotions live). Dr. Jason Strauss, Director of geriatric psychiatry at Harvard-affiliated Cambridge Health Alliance, stated that “ when people are depressed or under high levels of stress, this part of the brain malfunctions, and people experience a continuous loop of negative thoughts.
Boosted immune function
In 2018, a study from the University of East Anglia reported that exposure to nature and the diverse variety of bacteria present in a natural environment, can increase the immune system and reduce inflammation. In 2009, a Japanese study investigated shinrin-yoku, the act of making contact with and taking in the atmosphere of nature. Shinrin-yoku, also known as forest bathe, was found to increase white blood cells with antibacterial and antifungal properties that help kill damaging cells in the body. The research simply suggests that spending a day or even a weekend camping can support long-term immunity.