Walking in Nature For Your Body and Mind
The falling temperatures of autumn mark a perfect time to get outside and reconnect with nature. Once summer is over and the kids are back in school, we have a tendency to forget about spending time outside; however, spending time outdoors can help combat the added stress that often returns with fall.
While getting outside at all is beneficial, and you should do it whatever you can, you will get extra bonus points for going on a hike, or spending time in a natural setting, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
Recently, my husband I went on a hike and I realized how totally relaxed I was. While I was outside I didn’t think about work or have a pressing feeling like I needed to be doing something. I left my phone in the car and I completely disconnected. It felt so good.
Most days are hectic, and people spend a majority of my time in front a screen, whether it be a computer or phone, and any spare minute is spent checking emails, Facebook, or Twitter. With all the digital distraction and stresses of life, it is easy to forget that you are part of something so much more. But don’t take my word for it, walking outside has been scientifically proven to improve health.
Of course, we have all heard that walking is good for us, and in Harvard’s Health Publication, they point out just how good it is. In fact, in a meta analysis, they found that “among 72,488 female nurses, walking at least three hours a week was linked to a 35% lower risk of heart attack and cardiac death and a 34% lower risk of stroke.” That alone makes me want to go on a walk, BUT WAIT, there is more. In the Journal of the American Medical Association, a study published showed that walking helps decrease your chances of developing dementia later in life. Getting outside and taking a walk also exposes you to more sunshine and therefore more of the Sunshine Vitamin, also known as Vitamin D. Vitamin D can do A LOT. It helps keep your bones healthy, while boosting your immune system. A lot of researchers believe Vitamin D can help in the fight against cancer. Pretty awesome!
However, the benefit I immediately notice after going on a walk outside is my improved mood. Being in nature is shown to improve anxiety and depression. Stanford researchers published a study in the journal of Proceedings of the National Academy of Science that showed the effects of people taking a 90 minute walk in a natural setting. What they found was that not only did participants report feeling happier and less stress, there was in fact a physical reaction in the brain. Now, walking for the same length of time in a rural area did not have the same emotional effects though. Walking no matter where will have great benefits, however, to get the most of the emotional benefits, try taking a walk in a park or along a scenic trail, not dodging cars on a busy street.
