Another New Study Demonstrates the Health Benefits of Getting Outdoors More Often

There is a growing body of research that demonstrates the health benefits of getting outside and communing with nature. We highlighted one such study that found that spending time outside each day reduced stress levels in research participants.

Illuminate: "Dr. Mary Carol Hunter, an Associate Professor at the University of Michigan and lead author of the research says they found that "for the greatest payoff, in terms of efficiently lowering levels of the stress hormone cortisol, you should spend 20 to 30 minutes sitting or walking in a place that provides you with a sense of nature." She refers to these nature visits as a "nature-pill prescription."

A new study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that spending more time in natural light can improve sleep and reduce depression.

Science Alert: "Every additional hour of natural light was also linked to lower lifetime odds of depression, less antidepressant usage, and greater happiness. And those who reported better moods and sleep with more outdoor light tended to do so again the second time they were surveyed, on average four years later."

And, their research demonstrated additional benefits. Each hour of daytime light was associated with greater ease of getting up, less frequent tiredness, and fewer insomnia symptoms.

More Information: Other studies have shown that getting outside more can Improve focus, lower blood pressure, and help us heal more quickly.

#research #science #health

By: Don Lam & Curated Content