When the temperature drops, it is tempting to shut the curtains, turn the heating on and hibernate under your duvet in front of a good box set. Who wants to go out in the cold?
However, there are plenty of reasons why you should get outside – grab your Triple F.A.T Goose coat, grab your waterproof wellies and thick socks and get outdoors. As Elsa says, ‘The cold doesn’t bother me anyway!’
1. It will help to improve your mood
Natural daylight, whatever the weather, boosts the levels of serotonin in your body – the feel good hormone. These hormones are at their lowest naturally in the winter, so getting outside into the daylight will help give them a bit of a lift and improve your mood and lift a depressive fog.
2. It will help with your vitamin D levels
Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium, which helps to improve bone health, as well as reducing inflammation and promoting immunological function. t also helps to raise serotonin levels and keep your moods stable even when you are suffering from spells of cabin fever. We recommend wrapping up and getting at least 10 minutes of sun exposure while taking a vigorous stroll to receive your daily dose of vitamin D.
3. It gives you chance to reflect on your surroundings and thoughts
You should reserve the texts and phone calls for when you get back inside if you are out for a stroll. In addition to increasing dopamine levels, taking a quick mindful walk outside while being present and noticing your environment may help to keep the winter blues away. Pay attention to the way the air feels, the smells, the sights, the way the leaves feel under your feet, and everything that you can hear. A simple walk can be a truly sensory experience.
4. It can help to boost your memory
In terms of outdoor activities, a walk in the park is more beneficial to your memory than a city trip when deciding where to go. Two groups of people participated in a study at the University of Michigan to see how different types of scenery affected their cognitive function. Researchers discovered that those who took a stroll around an arboretum had a nearly 20% improvement in their capacity to recall information, whereas those who took a walk about the city had no significant improvement. It shows that interacting with nature can have similar effects to meditating.
5. It gives your immune system a boost
According to one Japanese study, “forest bathing,” which is defined as a brief, leisurely turn around a forest, has the ability to enhance immunity. Forest bathing was found to lower stress hormone levels while simultaneously increasing intracellular anti-cancer proteins. Furthermore, physical activity, even if it is as simple as walking outside in the cold, may help keep illness at bay since it cleanses bacteria out of your airways and lungs. This is particularly important given the current situation we find ourselves in with the covid pandemic!
