The benefits of our outdoor experiences aren’t always easy to put into words. We love the sound of songbirds harmonizing from the treetops, and cherish the sight of a beautiful sunrise over a misty mountain, but how exactly do these types of “feel good” moments translate into happier lives and actual health-related rewards? There is research and plenty of documentation that tells us the benefits of being in nature.
If you seem to find yourself craving a consistent nature fix, or want more evidence that points to the life-changing things that can happen when you spend more time outdoors, check out these ten benefits of being in nature.
According to a University of Michigan study, being in nature can help improve your short-term and working memory. It doesn’t matter if you’re a beginner fishing for the first time or if you’re taking a bike ride through a state park, nature has a way of working wonders when it comes to your memory.
Among the other benefits of being in nature is that it can help reduce inflammation. In one study, elderly patients who took a trip into the woods for one week showed reduced signs of inflammation as well as indications that a walk in an evergreen forest had a positive effect on hypertension.
Spending time in nature helps us develop a better understanding of the relationship between humans and the environment. When we become stewards of nature, we can see why it’s important to support healthy waterways.
If you know how to enjoy nature by spending time in a forest, you may be rewarded with higher immunity. When we breathe in fresh air, we also breathe in phytoncides. Phytoncides are airborne antimicrobial compounds that plants give off as protection from harmful insects and germs. When we breathe in these compounds, our bodies boost the number and activity of a type of white blood cell called natural killer cells or NK. These cells kill tumor- and virus-infected cells in our bodies.
Continue reading, 10 Benefits of Being in Nature You Might Not Know About from Debbie Hanson and TakeMeFishing.org here.
The Women's Outdoor News, aka The WON, features news, reviews and stories about women who are shooting, hunting, fishing and actively engaging in outdoor adventure. This publication is for women, by women. View all posts by The WON
