Let’s be honest – it’s definitely not been the easiest of years. Many of us are now getting used to the prospect of working from home and away from the office, leaving little time to enjoy the Great Outdoors. On top of that, after a hard days work, it can be all too easy to fall into the trap of watching Netflix and watching TV on the couch. However, if you want to be at your best and feel your best, putting on some pants and stepping outdoors is the most beneficial thing you can do. Here are a few of our favourite reasons for getting off your bum and spending more time outside.
Improved memory
Along with many of the other obvious benefits of spending more time outdoors, you can drastically improve your cognitive function and memory. Many studies have shown that more time spent in nature inevitably leads to an increase in both long term and short term memory. Research conducted by the University of Michigan discovered that, after giving two sets of participants a memory test, the set that had been on a walk through the woods did, on average, 20% better on an identical test. If you’re the type of person that is always forgetting their keys (who isn’t?), this proves that a quick walk outside every morning could be just the boost to the memory you’ve been looking for. Remember – it doesn’t have to be intensive for time spend outdoors to be effective. A slow, peaceful walk outdoors is just what the doctor ordered.
Low stress levels
When you’re having a bad week at work or finding life at home more difficult than it should be, it can be very easy to get too stressed out. Rather than staying indoors and doom-scrolling your phone, we suggest using nature as a tonic. Being active in nature has been shown to decrease the levels of stress hormones and give your mood a big boost. In fact, cortisol (a hormone that helps stress develop), has been proven to lower when more time is spent outdoors. We recommend getting on your bike or heading out for a camping trip every few weekends. Alongside spending time with your mates, the consistent fresh air is sure to have a powerful effect on your mind. Believe us – you’ll notice how much you feel better almost immediately.
A different perspective
The more time you spend indoors the further you’re taken away from the natural roots we are all bound to. To put it simply – it’s not natural. If you have a job that requires you to look at screens all day every day, you’re inevitably going to lose touch with nature if you’re not careful. Taking a wander through the woods can get you back in touch with Mother Nature, as well as helping you put problems or issues in your life back into perspective. The outdoor space can give you time to yourself and help you reflect on the things that really matter. There’s no need to go completely alone either – a Hangout Pod is the perfect outdoor accessory for those nights spent under the stars with a close friend. If you want our advice, bring a Weather Cover too.
If you’re finding it difficult to find time to spend more time outside, we suggest setting aside time for more regular weekend trips and activities. Whatever way you go about it, there’s no doubt that time spent outdoors will have a transformative effect.
Leave a Reply