You may be looking for ways to improve your health this year. One of the ways you can do this is by simply spending more time outdoors. Here are five health benefits of spending time outside:
Increase Vitamin D Intake
Your body must have vitamin D to absorb calcium and promote bone growth, according to Daniel J DeNoon. If your body doesn’t get enough vitamin D, your bones can become soft and fragile.
Your body can produce vitamin D naturally with exposure to direct sunlight. Most people can get enough vitamin D with only 15 minutes of direct sun exposure two times per week.
Improved Eye Health
Staring continuously at backlight screens (phones, computers, televisions) for a prolonged period can lead to Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). You may experience blurred or double vision, and red or irritated eyes. Research shows that between 50% and 90% of people who work at a computer screen have at least some symptoms. However, this is not just the only problem that one can develop! There are many more on the list. For starters, continued long-term exposure to screens that radiate blue wavelength light can cause slow degeneration of the retina and could lead to long-term vision problems such as macular degeneration (which would then require individuals to opt for laser vision correction).
Nevertheless, working adults aren’t the only ones affected. Kids who stare at tablets or use computers during the day at school can have issues too, especially if the lighting and their posture are less than ideal.
Going outdoors and taking a break from the screens to focus on objects that are distant can help you prevent CVS and possibly reverse the symptoms.
Better Sleep
Spending too much time indoors and away from natural lights can alter your natural sleep cycle, called circadian rhythms. However, spending time outdoors can reset your circadian rhythms which may lead to improved sleep. If you are experiencing trouble sleeping after making changes to your environment, then you might want to check with a medical professional. You might be suffering from insomnia which should be treated early. For a diagnosis, you can consult a medical expert near you such as Gwinnett Sleep (https://gwinnettsleep.com/).
Breathe Fresh Air
Indoor air pollution can be up to ten times worse than outdoor air pollutants. Inadequate ventilation, mold, and other chemicals can lower indoor air quality, which is why many homeowners often hire Mold Busters’ experts for air quality testing.
Anyway, regardless of whether you are keeping a tab on your indoor air quality, spending time outdoors breathing fresh air can improve your overall health. For instance, you can witness a boost in your mood. However, not all places have a good Air Quality Index. Some might be as polluted as indoor air. However, this can be tackled –if you want to be away from even the minutest kind of pollutants that may be available in the outdoor air, you can consider using a papr respirator (also known as a Powered Air Purifying Respirator) mask. It happens to be the first choice for people living or working in polluted regions.
Increased Psychological Health
You can improve your mental health by spending more time outdoors. Studies have shown that being outdoors reduces stress, boost serotonin and dopamine.
Being outdoors may improve your mood and make you happier!
Add a Custom Patio Cover to Your Home
You can personally enjoy the health benefits of being outdoors by adding a custom patio cover or wooden pergola from Affordable Shade Patio Covers to your home.