5 Reasons To Get Outside
1. Protect Your Eyes
In this day and age, technology is a big part of, well, staying alive. But there’s just one problem: Spending too much time staring at a screen can cause headaches and eye strain, and some people even think it can cause long-term damage to your eyesight. There’s one easy way to fix that! Go outside and stare at the grass and the trees and the clouds instead of your screen.
Not only that, but a couple of studies have even found that, in children and adolescents, spending time outdoors can decrease nearsightedness.
2. Vitamin D
Guess what’s outside? The sun. Guess what the sun gives you? Vitamin D.
Getting enough Vitamin D through food alone is not impossible, but it’s not easy, either. According to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital, “about 42% of the US population is vitamin D deficient with some populations having even higher levels of deficiency” (Wheeler). Obviously, that’s not good.
The sun is probably the easiest way to get Vitamin D, depending on where you live, and all you have to do is go outside and soak it up.
3. Improve Your Memory
The University of Michigan conducted an experiment to see how simply going for a walk outside could benefit humans. They found that “memory performance and attention spans improved by 20 percent after people spent an hour interacting with nature” (Bergman, Jonides, and Kaplan).
Just one hour out of your day. Just 1/24 of your day could increase your attention span and improve your memory. Simple as that.
4. Strengthen Your Immune System
Many plants give off chemicals called phytoncides. These chemicals help the plants fight off harmful bacteria, viruses, and fungus. But here’s the kicker: phytoncides not only protect plants, but they can help humans fight off sickness, too.
When we go outside, we breathe in the fresh air, right? Well, as we breathe in the smells of the outdoors, we also inhale phytoncides. According to dec.ny.gov, “These cells kill tumor- and virus-infected cells in our bodies.” But wait, it gets even better. There are studies being conducted and theories going around that the chemicals in the air outside could prevent cancer!
5. Cure Your Boredom
Believe it or not, the outdoors are actually kind of intriguing and, dare I say it, fun.
I know, right? Who would ever think the outdoors are fun? If you just get out there and try a few new things like hiking, tree climbing, or riding a bike, you might find something you enjoy! Seems impossible, I know, but during a time where we are supposed to quarantine, the outdoors may be your only choice to cure your boredom.
If this didn’t convince you, nothing will.
If you’re still not convinced that going outside is worth it, I don’t know what to tell you. I gave you facts, I gave you opinions, and I don’t have anything else to give. Look on the bright side, though! That’s just more space for me to enjoy the outdoors and go hiking, ride my bike, and climb trees.