Nature Is the Best Medicine
By Donna Stark
If you are overwhelmed and falling behind in your work, go outside. If you are moody and snippy with your loved ones, go outside. And if you are distracted, anxious, bored, or stressed? You guessed it ... go outside. When you are feeling all those things or are just feeling a little bit off, heading outdoors and spending time in nature is exactly what you should do. It helps to calm, refresh, inspire, and ground you, but the best part about spending time outdoors is that its magic works every single time.
Nature Is the Best Medicine
We've always been told that laughter is the best medicine, but dare I say, nature could give it a serious run for its money. By interacting with nature, spending time in it, and appreciating it, most people will usually end up feeling happier and healthier than they were before. And although spending time outdoors isn't a miracle cure for all medical issues, it certainly can make a difference in how you feel, physically, mentally, and emotionally. Here are some of the benefits you can get when you add more fresh air and sunshine to your life.
- Reduced stress, anxiety, and depression levels
- Improved sleep and increased energy
- Enhanced creativity and critical thinking skills
- Improved immune system function
- Decreased risk of serious medical conditions
How Nature Helps
There's a good reason for feeling the need to run outside after being cooped up indoors for an extended amount of time. Your body craves what the great outdoors provides, and boy, does it provide a lot. Take a look.
- Vitamin D - Our bodies need Vitamin D and fortunately, the sun provides it free of charge! Healthy levels of this vitamin can help reduce the risk of osteoporosis, certain cancers, depression, and muscle weakness.
- Exercise - More than likely, if you are outside, you are moving, so incorporate your daily exercise with it! Just 30 minutes of daily exercise can reduce the risk of serious medical issues, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
- Reduced pain - Staring at a screen for hours on end can lead to eye fatigue, headaches, and pain in the neck, back, and shoulders. All of those can be reduced with some sunshine and movement.
- Quietness and restoration - Overstimulated at work or school? Nature can give your brain the break it needs which can have a restorative effect on your concentration, productivity, and creativity.
Getting Healthier With Nature
You couldn't ask for a better friend than Mother Nature, so step outside and spend some time with her! It's the perfect way to unwind and improve your overall health and wellness in the process!
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Knightdale, N.C.