going deeper

How the Great Outdoors Boosts Your Health

Over the last few years, a number of medical studies have suggested that spending time outdoors can boost your mental and physical health. With the weather warming up, it’s the perfect time to get outside!

Experts suggest that spending time outdoors may improve your health in a number of ways, including:

• Reducing stress, anxiety and depression

• Boosting your mood

• Decreasing your blood pressure

• Helping you live longer

• Improving your ability to focus and memory

• Potentially helping you heal faster

• Managing a health weight

Being outdoors might help your health for a few reasons.

• Being outside might mean you’re getting more exercise

• Physical activity has been shown to help people relax and cheer up

• Natural light can improve your mood

• Sunlight activates Vitamin D which can help fight off certain health conditions like cancer, depression and heart attacks

With your own busy schedule and caring for kids or elderly parents, it can be tough to find outdoor time. Try these tips to get outside more.

• Walk instead of drive to school, soccer practice or wherever you’re headed!

• Try parking a couple blocks away from your destination if it’s too far to walk

• Schedule a regular outdoor time for the family, such as an after-dinner walk

• Try a new outdoor hobby together like hiking, biking or a fun outdoor game like badminton

• Make sure you have the right gear for the weather

Think you might be struggling with depression? Take our quick, FREE depression assessment to discover your risk factors and learn if it’s time to talk to someone.

Each Wednesday at 7:40 am, Jerry & Blanca speak with local health professional, Rose Melendez, who offers helpful tips for your health and well-being, brought to you by our friends at Adventist HealthCare.