Released On 13th Apr 2022

The Benefits Of Outdoor Living For Your Mental Health

Have you ever been in a bad mood, gone for a walk and felt much better by the end of it? It’s not just a coincidence – spending time outdoors really is good for your mental health. It’s something that’s been studied for years now, and was one of the big bits of advice during the lockdowns of COVID-19. But why does being in nature have such a positive impact on us, and how could we get more of it at home?

Reduce Stress

Stress is all around us, every day. We live in a stress-fuelled society, so finding a way to disconnect and get away from it all is key to good mental and physical health. But did you know that it can sometimes be as easy as leaving your phone in the house and going to a lie down in a hammock in your own garden? Find your own refuge – a quiet place for contemplation that gives you an antidote to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. And that place looks different for everyone. It might be relaxing in an outdoor recliner under a sheltered arbour next to a wall of beautiful climbing roses. It might be cooking lunch over a fire pit in the sunshine, or just strolling through a garden of wildflowers. Spending time outside doing any of these things can reduce your stress levels and leave you feeling relaxed and ready to face anything that comes your way.

Boost Your Immune System

Spending time outside has also been linked to boosting the immune system. Exposure to trees has been found to improve the symptoms of asthma in some sufferers, and spending time in clean, fresh air can do wonders for your natural immunity and wellbeing. One of the reasons the human race tends to get sicker than we used to is because we don’t spend enough time outdoors. Almost all of us will be suffering from a mild vitamin D deficiency, lower natural immune responses, lower moods, worse memory and higher blood pressure, all because we don’t spend enough time in the great outdoors.

Help With ADD/ADHD

If you or your children suffer from ADD or ADHD, spending time outdoors could actually improve their symptoms. Interaction with constant noise and simulation can be very distracting and difficult for those with ADHD, and it can make it harder to cope with everyday life. Having an outdoor space to spend time in, particularly in an urban environment, can make all the difference. Studies have shown that in children with ADHD, a 20-minute walk in a park or outdoor space can improve concentration, mood and even cognitive ability. Green outdoor spaces are now being used all around the world to reduce the impact of ADHD symptoms in children and adults, so if you or someone you know has ADHD, an outdoor living space could be a life-saver.

Improve Your Mood

Nature is humanity’s anti-depressant. Really! Soaking up the sunshine, breathing fresh air and feeling your toes in the grass can provide as much relief for depressive symptoms as talk therapy and anti-depressant medication. Spending time outdoors at any time of year has been proven to reduce the symptoms of depression and improve emotional health – and it doesn’t cost a penny. Having a natural outdoor living space in your back garden means you can do this every single day. Listen to the sound of nature, smell freshly cut grass, dip your toes in a pond and feel the endorphins flooding your brain.

But sometimes getting time in the fresh air is difficult. You might not live somewhere suitable for walks, there might not be any green space around, or you might just not want to go out in public. But that’s no reason you should miss out on the health benefits of the great outdoors – you can still enjoy the great outdoors from your own back garden. At CMA Landscapes, we can help design and build the perfect outdoor living space for you and your family. Whether that’s a fully landscaped space with streams and water features or an outdoor entertaining space with a little secluded seating area for when you want to be alone. We use turf, stones, decks and a wide variety of other options to create your perfect outdoor space.