When winter weather comes, the natural thing you might do is to stay inside Hawthorne for the entire winter season. But there are a lot of reasons to go outside even when it’s cold. Research has backed the claim that too much time spent indoors is not good for your mental and physical health. For this reason, do your best to get as much fresh air and sunlight regularly even if you are sheltering in place. Think these reasons are not enough? Here are 5 more to dress warm and go straight for the cold.
1. Daylight boosts your mood.
Moderate exposure to sunlight makes you happier. Sunlight produces more serotonin, a natural chemical in the brain that makes you feel good. But natural light is beneficial for your mood in other ways, too. Natural light is scarce during the winter so you need to go outside to maximize its effect. If going far is not an option, being on your porch, balcony, or yard on a sunny day will do the trick.
2. Sunlight helps prevent disease.
Your body creates and activates vitamin D when sunlight hits your skin. Studies have shown that a lack of vitamin D can lead to a wide range of serious mental and physical health issues, from depression to osteoporosis. It is definitely a good idea to get some sun even during the cold months so that your body can fight off cancer and heart attacks.
3. Spending time outdoors can improve your memory.
Spending time outdoors while walking can improve your memory especially when you walk around a park or to areas with natural scenery. There is something special when interacting with nature as studies show that it improves recall by 20%, something not achieved when walking in city streets. Have limited access to green spaces? Don’t worry, just continue doing your physical activity outdoors as this still helps fight stress and improve concentration.
4. Going outside is good exercise.
To start a healthier lifestyle, spend less time on the couch or the kitchen. By doing this, you will spend more time outdoors and get more exercise even in cold weather. Even a brisk walk around the block or the local park can make a big difference in your physical strength and endurance. Once you identify an outdoor activity that you like, plan to do it all year round.
5. Sunlight boosts your immune system.
Do you catch a cold or get a case of flu almost every winter? This may be because of less sun exposure during these months. Research has shown that spending time outdoors improves your immunity due to the lowering of your stress hormones. The cold does not let you catch a cold. You can in fact prevent seasonal illnesses when you do physical activities outside since the bacteria gets flushed away from your airways.
The cold shouldn’t bother you anyway, since the winter sun is your friend.
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