10 Steps To Feeling Better: #1 Get Out In Nature

11/29/2021 (Permalink)

The benefits of being outside

It’s time to start our 10 Steps To Feeling Better series with step number one: Get Out In Nature! 

It’s easy to underestimate the benefits of even a few minutes outside. Even though most people know being outside can help improve their mood, most people drastically underestimate the benefit of a walk outside compared to a walk inside on the treadmill. 

Even living in an area with more green space can improve your mood. One study has shown that people who live with a higher concentration of greenspace near them have fewer health complaints and perceived mental health. This study showed that people who experience a stressful life event were significantly less affected by it when they were surrounded by more green space. 

Living near a large park or green space isn’t always easy in Charlotte, NC, but adding potted plants inside your home or on a porch can be a mood lifter as well. Researchers have found that flowers and potted plants in the workspace led to more creativity, ideas, and flexible solutions from adults. Children also benefit from plants as well and have been shown to engage in more creative play. Not only do plants boost your mood, but there is evidence to show that gardening can boost your mood just as much as exercise, and it only takes an hour and a half each week. 

Greenery in neighborhoods is important for crime too. Research has shown that greenery in housing developments resulted in significantly less violent and property crimes. Studies have also shown that the better those greenspaces look, the less likely crime is in those areas, so boost your mood and spend some time gardening, and reduce crime at the same time. 

Studies have also shown that greenery can help improve memory by up to 20%! Just going and taking a short walk through trees and greenery can improve memory as compared to going for a walk on a sidewalk through buildings. This effect is even stronger in children. Studies have shown that children with more access to greenspace do better academically. Living near green spaces has been linked to improved memory, mathematical ability, and spatial working memory in children. 

Keep checking back for our other 9 steps to feeling better. Our team will continue to share helpful tips that can boost your mood and help make life feel a little calmer. 

Want to know more about us? Please check out our other pages:

LinkedIn  Facebook  Instagram  Twitter  Angie's List  BBB Youtube Pinterest Yelp