Spending time outdoors may seem hard to prioritize amid a busy schedule, but it's essential for mental health. Even brief time in nature can offer significant benefits. Research shows that just 120 minutes per week in natural settings can greatly improve health and well-being, making outdoor activities a valuable tool for enhancing mental wellness. Embracing the outdoors may help.
Consider these tips to protect your mental health:
- Calm the mind. Immersing yourself in nature offers a tech-free break that relaxes the mind and promotes calm.
- Improve cognitive function. According to the U.S. Forest Service, time in nature boosts cognitive function, enhancing attention and concentration.
- Combat anxiety and depression. Sunlight and nature exposure can ease depression and anxiety by boosting mood and increasing serotonin levels.
- Promote restful sleep. Outdoor exercise promotes better sleep, which is vital for mental health and managing mental illness.
- Boost self-esteem. Just five minutes of outdoor “green exercise” can boost mood and self-esteem, according to the University of Essex
Adding outdoor time to your routine can be simple with mindful planning. Start with brief, regular walks and build from there to boost your mental well-being.
Q:If we want outdoor activities to help reduce stress, is stress a bad thing?
A: It can be a good thing and a bad thing. Let's see Good Stress vs. Bad Stress
Not all stress is bad. Eustress, or “good stress,” can be beneficial and invigorating. It’s the kind of stress that pushes you to perform better, encourages growth, and helps you achieve your goals or overcome challenges. On the other hand, distress or “bad stress” can negatively impact your health and well-being, often leading to anxiety, depression and physical health issues. Distress is typically what people are referring to when they’re feeling stressed.
Stress is common and healthy; it’s your body’s way of responding to threats, challenges and demands. Understanding the difference between good and bad stress is crucial for maintaining a balanced and productive life. Here are some ways to differentiate between distress and eustress:
- Emotional response: Eustress typically feels exciting and motivating, whereas distress feels overwhelming and anxiety-inducing.
- Physical symptoms: Eustress may lead to positive physical responses like increased energy. Distress can cause symptoms such as headaches, fatigue and muscle tension.
- Impact on performance: Eustress enhances performance and productivity, while distress can hinder your ability to function effectively
Finding the sweet spot of stress means embracing eustress while keeping distress in check. This involves breaking large tasks into smaller, manageable steps, seeking out challenges that help you grow or align with your strengths, and focusing on the opportunities for personal development that come with difficult situations