Being outdoors boosts your mental health

Spending time outside, close to nature, improves our mental wellbeing. But why are green environments so good for us?

You’ve probably experienced it countless times: that wonderful feeling after a cycle in the forest or a hike up the mountain. Exercise boosts our mental and physical health in many different ways – if you work out in a beautiful natural environment, you can expect even better results.

A growing body of research shows that natural environments promote psychological restoration, and improve mood and attention span, while reducing stress, depression, anxiety and aggression – so much so that it’s been shown to reduce crime in certain communities.

Why the outdoors benefits us
Scientists believe that a few different mechanisms could be at play:

• Many of us view exercise as an inherent part of experiencing the outdoors – for example, walking along a mountain path is one way in which to experience the tranquillity of Table Mountain or the Drakensberg. Exercise, in turn, has many established mental health benefits: for instance, boosting feel-good brain hormones and increasing body temperature, which can have a calming effect.
• We frequently interact socially when we’re spending time outdoors. We may go to a park with someone or engage with other people while there. Social contact is also known to have positive effects on mood and stress levels.
• Some research suggests that visual exposure to green spaces trigger an immediate, emotional response in the brain and neuroendocrine system. In this way, spending time outdoors may have a direct impact on our production of cortisol, the so-called stress hormone.

Convinced that spending time outdoors is good for you? Reap the rewards this summer. Even just sitting on a park bench for half an hour could be a boon to your mental health. Just don’t forget to take a JOYA® apple along – it’ll keep you energised while you enjoy the view.

References:
– Thompson, WT et al. (April 2012) More green space is linked to less stress in deprived communities: Evidence from salivary cortisol patterns, Landscape and Urban Planning, Volume 105, Issue 3. Web URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0169204611003665
– Mayo Clinic Staff. (October 2014) Depression and anxiety: Exercise eases symptoms. Web URL: http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression-and-exercise/art-20046495

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