The views of this article are the perspective of the author and may not be reflective of Confessions of the Professions.
It turns out that you really should stop and smell the roses or, at the very least, sit and look at them. Scientific studies have linked time spent outdoors to improved mental health, lowered blood pressure, reduced inflammation, increased cognitive function, better sleep, and even an increased desire to help others. If you’re one of the many people for whom a leisurely hike or trip to a local park isn’t in the cards due to sheer lack of time, don’t worry! You can still reap the health benefits of the outdoors by spending time in your own backyard.
There are plenty of daytime and nighttime outdoor activities that can make a big difference in a small amount of time. Feeling burnt out at work? Commit to eating your lunch or breakfast outside a few times each week. Having trouble sleeping? Reduce your heart rate and relax by winding down next to a crackling fire pit. Feeling under the weather? The cedar, oak, or pine trees in your backyard are a great source of phytoncides — which produce virus-fighting white blood cells.
Ready to get more out of your backyard? Try working one or two of these science-backed ideas into your daily routine to see how simply stepping outside can make a difference in your health, relationships, creativity and more!
