As the weather is starting to cool down, I have found myself outside a lot more lately. Being from Florida, you would think I would be okay spending time out in the heat, but I hate it! Now that I live in Alabama, we actually get a fall season so I am looking forward to all of the outdoor time I will get to spend.
Human beings originated outdoors; that is where we would have lived before we figured out how to make tents and houses. In our modern day, we spend most of our time indoors which can bring a whole set of health problems along with it. In fact, Americans spend roughly 90% of their time indoors; from sleeping to working 8 hours a day. I want to lay out how important it is for you to spend more time outdoors and give you some tips on what you can do to be intentional about getting outside!
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is one of the few vitamins that our bodies can synthesize, and you know where it comes from? Yes, getting sun! Our bodies soak up the suns rays and convert them to chemicals that turn into vitamin D. Most of us are diffident in vitamin D so its important to get outside and often!
Most doctors recommend getting at least 10 minutes of direct sunlight per day. Unless you live in an extreme climate, it is pretty easy to get sun exposure. Go for a walk, head over to a local park, sit out on your back porch, eat outside when you go to a restaurant. There are so many ways to get out and get some sun, find something outdoors that you enjoy and do it often!
Fresh Air
The air in our homes can be 10x more polluted than the air outdoors. Your home is full of toxins found in paints, cleaning supplies, hygiene products, furniture and more! Most of homes aren’t ventilated well and a/c units certainly don’t help to detoxify the air.
Getting outside can get clean, fresh air into your lungs, filling your body and cells with oxygen. It will help to detoxify your body of pollutants and increase your energy. Some of you might rather stay indoors because of allergies but there are remedies to help with allergies and staying from foods like dairy can help to alleviate your symptoms.
Eyesight
Being outdoors can help to improve eyesight. Most of spend a lot of time on computers for work, and then come and sit in front of the tv our on our phones. This can cause eye strain and weaken your vision over time.
Getting outdoors and focusing your eyes on objects that aren’t right in front of your face can help to strengthen your eyesight and prevent nearsightedness.
God made this earth for us to enjoy, I can’t think of a better way to praise Him than to spend time in His creation, gazing on its beauty and wonder!
Sleep
Our sleep patterns are regulated by an internal body clock called the circadian rhythm. Our circadian rhythms are naturally tied to the sun’s schedule. When we spend too much time indoors, we begin to drift away from our natural circadian rhythm, causing sleep disorders. Staring at the blue light on screens make this problem even worse.
The solution here is to make a routine of waking up and going to sleep with your bodies natural circadian rhythm, which is usually around 6am to 10pm. Getting plenty of sun exposure during the day and putting the phone down at least an hour before bed can help to adjust your body to more natural rhythm. I have done it and works great.
Mental Health
Getting outdoors can help to improve mental health. Some of the symptoms of spending to much time indoors are anxiety and depression, and thats not just because of your dead end job. Turns out that spending time outdoors has positive health benefits on the brain, including boosting serotonin levels. Heading outside can help to improve the attention span and even boost creative juices- that’s one reason why outdoor meetings are becoming more popular.
Grounding
Grounding has become a popular phenomenon recently among the alternative health community. This a process where your bare feet touch the earth on a natural surface (grass, dirt, sand). Experts say that the earth is negatively charged, this process allows your body to absorb its electrons. Grounding can have anti-inflammatory benefits and help to energize the body
Final Thoughts
There are so many more reasons to get outside and you really don’t need that many to make this a part of your daily life. Getting closer to nature helps us to reverse the effects of our busy, stress-filled society. One of my goals is to incorporate nature into my work, home, and daily life. It really is the best medicine!
-Adam
Timberline Creative 
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