The Benefits of Spending More Time Outdoors

Everyone is looking for a way to improve their overall health. People search for the magic solution in every conceivable nook and cranny. The truth is, however, that the answer is right outside our doors.

Spending time outside in nature is healing. Study after study has shown just how important this simple truth is. And it’s not too difficult to achieve. Increasing the amount of time you spend outside can be as simple as walking out the front door for a few minutes of sunshine. 

Not only are there physical, mental, and even emotional benefits to spending time outside, but there are also practical, pragmatic benefits as well. Increasing your time outside is one of the first steps in improving your overall health and creating a healthier lifestyle.

A healthier lifestyle allows you to enjoy more of the things you love as well as lower your life insurance rates. Life insurance for healthy lifestyles is more affordable and can start with the great outdoors.

Benefits of the Great Outdoors

Nature is a place many people find healing, inspiration, and adventure. It’s a place for people to escape to, explore, or simply soak up a few rays of sunlight. The benefits of stepping outside are numerous. 

Increasing your time outside can and will benefit your physical, mental, and emotional health. In fact, getting outside is a great way to spend time with your kids. It’s a simple but effective way to reconnect and just have fun. 

Physical Benefits

Stepping outside is a great way to spend time with friends and family, but it has major implications for your physical health. Spending at least 30 minutes outside every day can have many positive effects. 

Outside is the only place to get natural sunlight exposure. This means time outside gives you an instant vitamin D boost. Vitamin D is essential for healthy bone growth and a strong immune system. 

Studies have also shown that more sunlight and natural air lead to a reduction in bodily inflammation. The thought is that the natural air from forestry increases lung function and better circulation, resulting in less inflammation. 

Being outside can also increase your energy, whether you are simply walking, biking, or hiking. Being outdoors often involves some kind of physical activity. The increase in movement leads to more energy and a desire to do more. 

People have also reported a reduction in eye strain while outdoors. More time outside means less time on screens or taking in blue light. Both screens and blue light cause eyes to strain, but being outside cuts that time down significantly. 

All this activity and time outside can result in better sleep as well. Being outside helps improve circadian rhythms, which makes it easier to fall and stay asleep. Taking the time each day to be outside can only improve your bodily functions. 

Mental Benefits

The benefits of spending more time outside don’t stop at the physical. In fact, being outside has significant, positive effects on your mental health as well. 

Sunlight and fresh air are proven to help you feel more relaxed. It helps release tension and increase endorphins and serotonin levels. 

The release of chemicals in the brain while outside also boosts brain function, which leads to improved memory and an increased sense of creativity. This means the time spent away from work will actually serve you better. You’ll be more energized, focused, and ready to tackle issues that arise. 

Emotional Benefits

Emotional benefits come from being outside as well. Reports of reduced stress, anger, and depression plus improvement in overall mood and feelings of happiness are frequent occurrences when spending time outside. 

An increase in sunshine and fresh air makes people happier and excited to tackle the issues of the day. So if you live in a safe city for pedestrians, try to go outside more.

The Great Outdoors and Life Insurance

Spending time outside is the first step in creating healthier habits and a healthier lifestyle. Making this choice can start an avalanche of healthier choices. All these habits, spending time outside, increasing exercise, and focusing on a healthier diet, can have positive effects on your life. Check life insurance weight charts to know how your weight can affect your rates.

These choices can also have positive effects on your life insurance coverage and rates. Many companies offer life insurance policies based on health and sustainability of a person’s lifestyle. The healthier your lifestyle, the more favorable the terms and coverage options. 

The increase in coverage and decrease in cost is just the beginning of improvements from spending time outdoors. In reality, taking just a few extra minutes outside walking or playing can lead to more fun and time outside. The time is limitless and the lifestyle improvements are endless. 

Laura Gunn researches and writes for the insurance comparison site, QuickQuote.com. She and her family are avid hikers who spend a lot of time outdoors exploring national parks. She is passionate about everyone staying active and outside as much as possible.