When life gets busy and you’re struggling with your mental health, you might spend a lot of time indoors. It can be easy to spend most of your days indoors, especially if your job doesn’t involve any outdoor activities. If you’re dealing with mental health challenges, it’s important to recognize how spending time outside can make you feel better. Whether it’s a walk in the park, a hike in the woods or just sitting under a tree, nature can help calm your mind and lift your mood.

You don’t have to be an athlete, own hiking boots or live near mountains to enjoy the mental health benefits of being outdoors. Whether you live on a farm or in the middle of a big city, a few minutes of fresh air each day can make a big difference in how you feel. There is evidence for positive associations between exposure to nature and improved cognitive function, brain activity, sleep and mental health. Learning more about these positive associations can show how outdoor activities may transform your mental health.

5 potential benefits of outdoor activities for mental health

• Lowered stress — Feeling stressed? Here’s some good news: Time spent in nature may help reduce stress levels in a natural, healthy way. Fresh air, green spaces, and natural sounds like birds or running water help signal to your brain that it’s safe to relax. When you’re outdoors, your body can slow down and shift out of “fight-or-flight” mode. Next time you’re feeling stressed, try stepping outside for five minutes. Focus on what you see and hear. Notice the trees, the clouds or the breeze. Recognize how your surroundings are affecting each of your senses in turn. By grounding yourself in nature, you can use a short break to stop cyclical stressful thoughts.
• Reduced depression — Going outdoors can be a good way to get your body moving when you have depression. Exercise can release endorphins, which are a natural feel-good chemical. Even a short outdoor activity like taking a jog around your block can have a positive impact on your depression symptoms.
• Mood boost — Exercise is a great way to improve your mood. You don’t have to run a marathon to get the mental health benefits of moving your body. Walking, biking, gardening and other gentle outdoor activities can help you release tension, clear your mind and improve your focus. If you want to make a habit of outdoor exercise, pick one simple outdoor activity you enjoy. This could be walking your dog, watering your plants or riding your bike to a nearby coffee shop. Try doing this activity a few times a week and pay attention to how your mood shifts with your new routine.
• Greater mindfulness — When you’re surrounded by nature, it’s often easier to slow down and pay attention to the moment. This is a big part of mindfulness practices like meditation, which can be very helpful in managing your mental health. Mindfulness can help quiet racing thoughts and bring your focus back to the present.
• Connection and purpose — Mental health challenges can make you feel unwanted. You may often feel sad or angry about the world and struggle to feel any sense of purpose in it. Spending more time outdoors may help with these feelings. Outdoor activities can remind you that you’re part of something bigger. Going for a hike may make you feel connected to the natural world. A walk around your neighborhood may provide a sense of community connection. Regardless of where you are, being outside can spark a sense of meaning and connection. It can help reduce feelings of isolation by reminding you you’re not alone.

Spending just five minutes outside today can be a powerful act of self-care. Whether you’re sitting on your porch, walking through a local trail or watching the sky change colors at sunset, you can boost your mental health by being outside.

Sometimes, though, being outside isn’t enough. If you need extra support on your mental health journey, Lightfully is here for you. We understand that everyone’s situation is different. Maybe you’re experiencing functional freeze after a traumatic experience. Maybe going outside has helped some with your bipolar disorder mood changes, but you think you could use extra support. Whatever your condition, Lightfully’s Precision Care Model (PCM) is designed to deliver personalized treatment tailored to your needs. Our PCM uses the most effective aspects of evidence-based treatment to target the drivers behind mental health disorders and symptoms. With our help, you can start working toward lasting mental wellness.

Change is possible. Contact us to learn more about how you can transform your mental health through self-care and professional treatment. We’ll help you take the right steps toward the fullest, brightest version of you.