Benefits of Spending Time Outdoors in Winter
Date: January 19, 2023
Three-quarters of American adults say they are interested in nature and enjoy outdoor activities, according to “The Nature of Americans” study. Yet, on average, 90% of our time is spent indoors.
The average American spends more than 7 hours a day looking at screens (over 2 hours a day on social media) and gets less than the recommended minimum of 7 hours of sleep. Not getting enough sleep can result in a lack of energy, difficulty remembering things, reduced attention span, slowed thinking, lowered sex drive, poor decision-making, irritability, daytime sleepiness, and other mood changes.
Spending time outdoors is good for our mental and physical health – even in winter. Exposure to sunlight, especially early in the morning, helps regulate our sleep-wake cycle partly through Vitamin D production. Vitamin D is also vital for bone health, allowing the body to absorb and retain calcium, and playing a role in controlling infections and reducing inflammation.
Studies show that being outside can reduce cortisol levels, muscle tension, and heart rates, thus reducing cardiovascular disease, boosting self-esteem, and improving mood.
While it is essential in colder weather to take precautions, such as dressing in layers and staying hydrated, spending time outside in cold weather also has health benefits. In cold weather, your body works harder to stay warm, leading to increased endorphin production. Endorphins increase feelings of well-being, creating a happier state of mind and reducing stress. Colder temperatures can also help reduce allergies and inflammation and increase the body’s ability to burn fat.
Locally, we are fortunate to be surrounded by nature and a wide variety of opportunities for outdoor engagement. Most of the land in Montgomery County, Arkansas, is publicly owned forest. The Ouachita National Forest occupies 335,846 acres, or 80%, of the forested land in the county. Studies have shown that people with easy access to green spaces boasted better health and lower mortality rates. Even relatively passive contact with nature—such as viewing it from a window—lowers blood pressure and anxiety levels.