Call to the Wild

Who doesn’t love a walk outdoors? The smells, the sounds, the fresh feel of the breeze and the unexplainable tranquility of feeling a part of it all. 

We live in a time where we can set the room temperature, order a takeaway and stream a movie without leaving the comfort of our sofa, let alone leaving the house. Our surroundings might have changed, but our primitive brains are still hard-wired to survive in the outdoors, hunting and gathering, using the position of the sun to tell the time of day.

We still have a deep connection with nature, and research shows that if we don’t nourish that bond despite our technological advancements, we may suffer physically and mentally. 

Let’s have a look at the benefits of getting some nature time can have. 

Boosts Vitamin D

By helping maximize calcium absorption, vitamin D promotes bone and dental health. It can also elevate mood and reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and more. Vitamin D also improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure by literally relaxing your blood vessels.

Improves Sleep

Sunlight regulates our body’s melatonin production. Melatonin is a hormone that controls the body’s internal clock making us sleepy. The melatonin-producing part of your brain (the pineal gland) is directly affected by access to natural light – it remains inactive during the day and is switched on when darkness sets in. That’s why devices like smartphones can confuse this cyclic system, the body can think the artificial light is the sun, stopping natural sleep from setting in. 

Redirects Attention

Simply changing your focus can be an extremely useful tool to combat stress, especially in the workplace. What better way to do that than in nature where you can take the time to notice each smell, each sound and each feeling the new surroundings give you. 

This easy act of mindfulness can give our brains the break they need to recharge and become more centered, ready to take on the rest of the day.

Improves Workplace Productivity

Multiple studies have shown that having some contact with nature in the office, however, limited, makes employees happier and more productive. 

Part of a study conducted at Exeter University has shown that when they brought even just a couple of house plants into an office workspace, there was a 15% rise in productivity.

Lowers Stress Hormones

Allowing ourselves a small window to experience nature can significantly lower our stress hormone levels, specifically cortisol and amylase. According to research published in the journal Frontiers in Psychology, when participants were exposed to different durations of nature exposure,  they found that salivary cortisol was reduced by 21% per hour and salivary amylase by 28% per hour. The study also found that when the duration of nature exposure was between 20 and 30 min, the gain in benefit was most efficient.

Improves Blood Pressure

A study published in 2016 has shown that even 30 minutes a week spent outdoors can greatly lower your risk of developing high blood pressure. 

Raises Endorphins

Exercising outdoors – such as hiking, running, biking and kayaking, increases the production of endorphins. Like serotonin, these neurotransmitters are mood boosters. Endorphins create the sensation often referred to as “runner’s high.” 

Improves Relationships 

It’s no surprise it is said that families, friends and loved ones that spend time outdoors together communicate better and form longer-lasting relationship bonds. With less distraction, more oxygen to the brain, more endorphins, and lower stress levels, it’s so much easier to give that much-deserved attention to those you care about. 

What better reason to get out there and enjoy this earth in all its beauty!