The Benefits of Being Outside

Need to get some steps in or just looking for a mental uplift? You need to take a step outside to boost your mood and improve your overall well-being. You don’t have to be an athlete or at the top of your health game to step out into the race of life and get all the great benefits from being outdoors.

Getting out into the fresh air has so many health benefits starting with getting a dose of much-needed Vitamin D. Vitamin D is a highly useful building block in our complex health structure. It assists in promoting healthy bones and teeth, and supports your immune, brain, nervous systems, cardiovascular health, and lung function. Vitamin D even regulates insulin to help with diabetes management and can assist with cancer prevention.


Meeting exercise goals, no matter how big or small can give you the boost you need to feel better about yourself and gain some confidence. Since mental health awareness is such a huge component in our society, it’s extremely important to the emotional and mental parts of our lives to get outside, get some fresh air and add movement to your daily routine. You can also get more social interaction since physical activity may give you the chance to meet new people and get you out of isolation that mental health issues can create. Even learning to get up and go for a walk when you’re feeling low, allows you to work through depression and anxious feelings in a healthy way. This creates better coping skills.


We all know staring at computers, tablets & phones constantly, can cause physical problems for your eyes. Computer Vision Syndrome also referred to as Digital Eye Strain, is a new problem that has emerged relating to vision problems as a result of prolonged screen time. Getting outside and resting your eyes for even just 20 minutes can make a huge difference in your overall eye health and mental clarity.

When we take much-needed breaks from work and the everyday hustle and bustle of life, we are able to have better mental clarity within our lives. Mental clarity helps us find focus and direction and makes it easier to get things done. So take that lunch break, step outside, and go for a brisk walk around the building, your mind will thank you. Having mental clarity fills your life with overall contentment.


Getting outside does not just have to be a solo excursion. Including your children will not only create quality family time together, away from television and video games, but studies have also shown that exercise is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce the symptoms of ADHD. Physical activity immediately elevates dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Each of these chemicals in our brain helps with focus and attention span, so if your young ones struggle with ADHD or just tend to lose mental steam more than others, go for a walk around the neighborhood after school before homework time, to help them, and you both.

Of course, being active outside is great for your physicality, but getting fresh air and some sunshine on your face offers so much more than that. Try to challenge yourself this spring to step into the therapeutic landscape of life, fill your lungs, and clear your mind.