You do not have to wait for Earth Month or Stress Awareness Month to make connecting with nature part of your wellness routine. As we head into better outdoor-friendly weather, now is the perfect time to get outside. Why spend more time outdoors? Spending time in nature has bountiful benefits for our mental and physical health. And, when you are diligent about sun protection, it can also benefit your skin!  In our increasingly digital world, it is more important than ever to unplug and get outside regularly. How does nature improve health, exactly? Here are some of the top reasons why spending time outside is important, and you should make a conscious effort to get outdoors:

• How going outdoors improves overall health: Studies show that spending time outside in a park or forest can reduce blood pressure, heart rates, and harmful hormones tied to stress, which negatively impact total health. As we tend to stay on the move outdoors, it can help manage weight and reduce muscle tension, demand on your cardiovascular system, and cortisol levels.
• How getting outdoors boosts mental health: Moving your body “al fresco” in natural environments has been proven to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and help you handle your emotions. The fresh air, natural sunlight, and physical activity that accompany being outdoors trigger the release of feel-good endorphins that can improve your mood. Studies have found that spending anywhere from 10-30 minutes outside per day can have a measurable positive impact on your mental well-being, decreasing stress levels. Access to green space is also found to reduce the risk of depression while improving attention and concentration.

This cheering effect comes with reduced cortisol levels, which explains why getting outdoors helps manage stress and anxiety and the resulting skin conditions like acne, rosacea, and eczema. This, combined with the sense of achievement you will feel when reaching the summit of a hill or trying out a new outdoor activity, will make your confidence soar! If you cannot get out very often, bring nature indoors by surrounding yourself with air-cleaning plants, nature pictures, plant-based materials in your furniture, and cleaning products to help calm your mind.

• How getting outside improves skin health: Stress, anxiety, depression, and other forms of mental distress take a massive toll on our bodies. Although you cannot always know how it impacts you internally, the effects are often visibly evident when our skin reacts with breakouts, rosacea flare-ups, dryness, eczema, and hives.

So, what can you do to get your mind and skin back on track? Get outside! While high-quality skincare is integral to skin health, smart exposure to natural sunlight is essential for healthy skin. Wait, does that mean you can go out in the sun now? Not exactly. Moderate sun exposure helps the body produce Vitamin D, which is vital for skin cell growth and repair. It seems counterintuitive, but sunlight has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce skin conditions like eczema and acne. While supplementation is a popular option for acquiring Vitamin D, you can also get it by practicing “safer” sun habits. Head out two or three days a week (or more during dark Winter days) in the early morning or late afternoon to get 5 to 15 minutes of direct sunlight when UVB rays are lower to minimize the chances of harming your skin. As you step outside and step into better skin, apply a broader protection ocean safe sunscreen and avoid overexposure. Incorporate a Vitamin C serum and other antioxidant-rich skincare and body care products for added protection against damaging free radicals. Remember to wear a wide-brimmed hat and oversized sunglasses, too!

• Why spending time outdoors enhances sleep quality: While overexposure to artificial light disrupts your body’s internal clock, spending time outdoors, especially in the morning or afternoon, helps regulate your body's natural circadian rhythms and sleep patterns. This, in turn, can lead to better, more restorative sleep at night. Poor sleep is linked to several health issues, from weight gain to mental health problems and the state of your skin, so prioritizing the quality of your sleep should be a top priority. Better sleep equals increased collagen production, cell renewal and repair, and more balanced moisture levels. It also helps reduce cortisol levels, under eye circles, bags, lines, and stress-related breakouts and flare-ups. The result is clearer, smoother, more youthful-looking skin.
• How getting outdoors boosts energy: Breathing fresh air and soaking up natural light can revitalize your energy. It raises serotonin levels, which has an energizing, mood-boosting effect. Research suggests that feelings of tiredness decrease the more people move outdoors. So, the next time you feel tired and lackluster, and want to throw in the towel, try heading outside instead to revive your energy stores.
• How heading outdoors enhances memory and focus. Many people find that they can think more clearly and be more productive after spending time outside. Studies indicate that time spent outdoors can improve your memory and attention span. So the next time your brain is swimming with facts and figures, or your mind is stuck trying to recall something, get out to shake out those cobwebs!
• Why spending time outdoors may help you avoid some diseases. Sunlight, the best source of Vitamin D, is essential for blood cells, bones, immunity, and mineral absorption. It helps stave off dementia, diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer. Pairing time spent outside with other healthy habits is necessary for longevity.
• Get outside to protect your eye health. Have you noticed blurred vision, dry eyes, headaches, or neck pain? You might have developed Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS). Taking a break from your smartphone, laptop, TV, and other sources of artificial light allows your eyes to rest, which can help safeguard your eyes from harmful, prolonged exposure to blue light emitted from digital screens. Of course, you must stay off your phone to reap the rewards. Your inbox can wait!

With all these benefits of going outside more, you can stop wondering why spending time outside is good for you!

How To Embrace Nature
Now you can put this newfound knowledge into action. Do not worry - you do not have to be a weekend warrior or tread in the woods to get the benefits. You can take a relaxing stroll around the block, work in your garden for a spell, or sit and birdwatch. Nor do you have to wait until you are pulling your hair out or suffering mentally or physically. Proactively make it a point to explore local parks often and be mindful to notice the beautiful sights and sounds around you to allow mother nature to work her magic. Get to a body of water when you can, as going to the beach can benefit your health. Watching the waves roll in and out and listening to the rhythmic sounds of the water lapping on the shore can be a form of meditation. Practice deep breathing near the sea, as the mineral-rich salt water releases negative ions into the air. This helps counteract the surplus of positive ions from pollution, sun exposure, and stress, helping rebalance the body. And if the weather allows, take a dip to soak up more of those blood pressure and moisture-balancing ions!

When you are landlocked, use a natural exfoliating body scrub with Sea Salt to continue receiving the detoxifying and stimulating benefits of bathing in the ocean. Use it regularly to improve how cells behave and the skin’s metabolism and performance. Pairing your daily skincare routine with some much-needed time outdoors is an ideal way to help get your emotional, mental, and physical health back on track. So, envelop your skin and body in marine and plant based natural skin care products to keep interacting with nature! The bottom line is that making the outdoors a regular part of your routine can profoundly impact your mental and physical health. Spending time outdoors nurtures your body, mind, and soul, with the bonus of a more serene complexion! So get outside, soak up some sunshine, and enjoy the healing power of nature. You can also grab a friend to make it social!

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