What the Outdoors Can Do for You
- Wellness Workdays
- Jun 24, 2019
- 1 min read
While working indoors provides you with the ability to control the temperature, you may have to endure those fluorescent lights. Being outside has many benefits for your mental well-being that you can’t replace with the great indoors.
This begs the question of what scenery is the best: urban streets or green forest? A research study questioned this exact predicament and found that participants who had gone on a nature walk instead of an urban walk experienced a significant increase in memory span.
Evidence shows that you improve your memory and are happier when outside in natural, green environments. A recent research study noted that urbanization has been linked to mental illness. Participants in this study who walked 90 minutes through a natural environment presented as a lower risk for mental illness. Other studies showed just five minutes of a “green” exercise promoted a boost in mood and self-esteem.
As the science is growing, the message seems to be the same; spending time outdoors in nature can promote better mental well-being.
Written by: Brianna Ballard, Wellness Workdays Dietetic Intern. Learn more about Wellness Workdays and our wellness program offerings by downloading our brochure.
Sources: 1. Harvard Health Publishing 2. PNAS 3. Journal of Affective Disorders
