How Getting Outside Can Change Your Life
By Genevieve Cunningham
We’ve reached that sweet spot in the year. It’s still winter, but spring is just around the corner and we’re starting to feel its closeness. We can almost taste the April showers and smell the accompanying flowers. It may be weeks (or months!) before it truly arrives in full force, but that doesn’t stop us from getting a bit excited. And what is so exciting about spring? Besides the newly green grass and warm sun, the spring also has us hitting the great outdoors in droves. And if you’re not looking forward to getting outside, you’re doing it wrong! Before spring arrives in all its glory, take a look at how getting outside on a regular basis can change your life for the better.
It Can Help You Get Active
It’s tough to go outside and stay sedentary. The outdoors almost requires that we move. We don’t necessarily have to exercise, per se, but we’re almost guaranteed to be more active than if we were sitting inside in front of the TV. The more movement that we have in life, the more calories we burn, the more muscles we build, and the better we feel as a whole. If you’ve become a little too complacent with your movement, get outside for a quick boost.
It Can Get You Some Vitamin D
Vitamin D is a very important vitamin for our overall health. The problem is that very few foods contain this vitamin naturally. In fact, we get the largest part of the necessary Vitamin D through exposure to the sun. When we lack in this nutrient, we may feel deep aches and pains in the body, suffer from insomnia, or feel blue or depressed. Getting enough Vitamin D through sun exposure can help us avoid these negative side effects and feel better than ever.
It Can Boost Your Mood
The great outdoors are great for boosting your emotional state. There’s something about the fresh air and sunshine that make us feel relaxed and energized. Research has even indicated that those who get outside and walk a little in nature every day have lower stress levels, better blood pressure, lower instances of depression, and improved general health. If you feel stagnant, rundown, or generally unhappy on a regular basis, getting outside may prove to be all it takes to turn this attitude around.
If you don’t love being outside, find something to do or look forward to. The truth is that getting outside is incredibly beneficial for our mental and physical health. And you definitely don’t want to miss it! Get some ideas, formulate a plan, and take advantage of the outdoors as soon as the warmth of spring arrives.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Arvada, Colo.
