Working from home has become the new norm in today’s society. But without the need to commute, it’s easy to find yourself spending an entire day indoors. Although you will be saving yourself from the hustle and bustle of traffic and air pollution, being cooped up inside all day can be detrimental to your health. There are a few reasons you need to make sure you step outside from time to time.
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1. Aides Your Health
Even just 20 minutes in the park every day can significantly reduce your stress levels. Such moments when you’re surrounded by trees and grass and bathed in sunlight can help get rid of anxiety and improve your mood. It is the perfect antidote to the myriad of worries that can impact your daily life.
Bonding with nature is not just good for your mental health, it also has a positive effect on your physical health. It will help stave off high blood pressure and boost your cardiovascular health. If you come from a family with a history of diabetes, it is important to spend more time outdoors. It could improve your chances of beating what could be a terminal illness.
But what if you don’t have the luxury of living next to a park? You can still reap those many health benefits by taking a walk around your block. You don’t need to be enveloped in greenery; even sitting outside and gazing at the sky for a few moments daily can do you a world of good. Walking or jogging will help get your heart rate up and promote a healthier lifestyle.
2. Fight Anxiety/Depression
‘Nature prescriptions,’ as this outdoor pursuit of wellbeing has been dubbed, has the ability to improve your mood and get rid of the thoughts that weigh you down. The human race was born into nature; centuries of civilization have not eroded our need to connect with the outdoors. Failing to rekindle that bond with nature can have adverse effects on our mental and emotional stability.
If you’re stuck in the pattern of negative thoughts, dwelling on real or imaginary problems that seem powerless to resolve, take a walk. This simple act of venturing outdoors will help remind you that you’re not alone with your issues. Appreciation of the wonders of nature will help you decompress and take your focus away from things that stress you.
3. Improves Focus
Taking a break from your desk and taking a walk outdoors can help you get out of a mental rut. It can help you reset your mind so that you can rediscover your focus. Your job may entail engaging in multiple tasks simultaneously—working on spreadsheets, preparing presentations, talking to clients, etc. In such a fast-paced environment, it is easy to lose focus.
It’s even easier to get distracted when you’re working from home. As you try to accomplish a task or hold a meeting, you could have a number of chores waiting for you. If you struggle with ADHD, focusing can be many times more difficult. An encounter with nature is all you need to help sharpen your focus and return to productivity.
4. Increased Vitamin D
One of the most renowned sources of vitamin D is sunlight. It is one of the added benefits of leaving the confines of your office or home. Vitamin D is a critical component of bone health. Without it, your body will struggle to absorb calcium from the food you eat, which can compromise the strength of your bones.
Vitamin D also plays a role in your mental health as well as warding off respiratory illnesses. Experts recommend you take in at least 600 international units (UI) every day to reap the vitamin’s benefits. It’s hard to get this quantity from basking or relying on vitamin D-rich foods like eggs, milk, and fatty fish. You should therefore consider including vitamin D supplements in your daily diet. If you’re not a huge fan of capsules, you can opt for chewable vitamin D gummy supplements.
5. Enhance Creativity
Are you a writer or artist suffering from a mental block? Or are you stuck trying to resolve a problem whose solution feels within reach, but you just can’t wrap your mind around it? Turn off the digital screens and take a walk outside. People who frequently take outdoor excursions have been found to do better in creativity tests than those who don’t.
A Welcome Distraction
There are several other benefits that come from spending time outdoors, including boosting your immunity, improving your vision, and making you a more sociable person. Distracting yourself from your routine to bond with nature can be the best move you can make for your productivity.