What Are The Benefits Of Spending Time Outdoors

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Since the beginning of time, people have spent time outdoors and in nature. Nature has always offered various sources of food, shelter, medicine, and scenery. There are many cultures and religions, including Buddhism, Islam, and Hinduism, that are centered around nature and its relaxing properties. Some doctors even prescribe or recommend to their patients to spend time outdoors because it reduces stress and has many therapeutic properties. These soothing properties include plant life, animals and their noises, and elements of weather including breezes, rain, and sunshine. Scenery causes nature to be therapeutic because it reduces stress, encourages physical activity, and has many added health benefits. A 2010 study found that participants who went on routine walks in nature had lower levels of the stress hormone, cortisol, than those who strolled through noisy environments such as cities(The Science behind...). Reducing the amount of cortisol that is released not only lowered the stress levels of the participants but …show more content…

In today’s culture, “being outdoors is generally associated with activity, and being physically active keeps joints loose and helps with chronic pain and stiffness,” according to physician Jay Lee (The Science behind…). Most outdoor physical activities require a person to remove themselves from all electronic distractions.People are more willing to leave the electronic world behind when they find that they are surrounded by the beauty of nature. By exercising in the fresh air outdoors, people are less likely to catch a virus than they would if they exercise at a gym. This is because most air conditioning systems recirculate the same air, leaving it contaminated with viruses and germs. By being outside, one can avoid these potential illnesses because they are not breathing quite as much recycled air as others (The Science

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