Scientifically Proven Health Benefits of Spending Time in Nature
Spending time outdoors has been scientifically proven to reduce stress levels, help you find clarity, and rejuvenate your mind and body.
Here are the amazing health benefits of taking time off and spending it in nature, especially if you decide to go in the mountains and enjoy nature to the fullest.
- Vitamin D helps Your Body Function More Efficiently
Going outside to "get some vitamin D" is very important. But what does vitamin D actually do for you? By helping maximize calcium absorption, vitamin D promotes bone and dental health. It can also elevate mood and reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, diabetes, etc. Vitamin D also improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure by relaxing your blood vessels.
- Restored mental energy
Have you ever experienced "mental fatigue"?
The thing that can help get your mind back into gear is exposing it to restorative environments, which, according to research, usually means the great outdoors. Studies have shown that people's mental energy bounce back even when they just look at pictures of nature. Imagine how it is when you admire nature outdoors?!
- Stress relief
If you are tensed and stressed, head for nature. One study found that students sent into the forest for two nights had lower levels of cortisol - a hormone frequently used as a marker for stress — than those who spent that time in the city.
Among office workers, even the view of nature out a window has been associated with lower stress and higher job satisfaction.
- Possible anti-cancer effects
According to preliminary studies, spending time in nature — in forests and mountains in particular — may stimulate the production of anti-cancer proteins.
The boosted levels of these proteins may last up to seven days after a relaxing trip into the woods.
Studies in Japan have also found that areas with greater forest coverage have lower mortality rates from a wide variety of cancers, even after controlling for smoking habits and socioeconomic status.
- Immune system boost
The cellular activity that is associated with a forest's possible anti-cancer effects is also indicative of a general boost to the immune system you rely on to fight off less serious ills, like colds, flus, and other infections.
Researches strongly suggest that forest environments have beneficial effects on human immune function, however acknowledged that more research on the relationship is needed.
- Improved mental health
Anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues may all be eased by a certain amount of time spent in nature — particularly when that's combined with exercise.
One study found that walks in the forest were specifically associated with decreased levels of anxiety and bad moods, and another found that outdoor walks could be "useful clinically as a supplement to existing treatments" for major depressive disorder.
- Reduced risk of early death
The health effects of green space are wide-ranging, and studies that can't prove cause-and-effect still show strong associations between access to nature and longer, healthier lives.
According to a studies in Environmental Health Perspectives found a similar connection, finding about a 12% lower mortality rate, with the biggest improvements related to reduced risk of death from cancer, lung disease, or kidney disease.
Researchers point to "recovery from stress and attention fatigue, encouragement of physical activity, facilitation of social contact and better air quality" as well as nature's positive effect on mental health, which would boost overall health and longevity as well.
If you feel motivated and inspired to spend some quality time in nature, more specifically in the mountains, we suggest you visit Banner Elk Winery & Villa - the jewel of the High Country. Nestled in the awe-inspiring majestic Blue Ridge Mountains stands the High Country’s original winery - Banner Elk Winery.
Banner Elk Winery has set the standard for crafting wines in the High Country that stand among the finest in the country. Their vineyards offer engaging Wine Tastings and glimpse into what the storied High Country Wine Region is truly made of.
Quality wine, beautiful scenery, and warm hospitality. It’s a perfect place to relax, host an event or to just get away for the day.
Escape to Banner Elk Winery & Villa to enjoy the relaxing and inspiring setting while having the adventure of your life surrounded by the beautiful majestic Blue Ridge Mountains.
Source: Business Insider
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