564 - The Mental Health Effects of Going Outside
In this episode, we look at the mental health benefits of getting outside more often.
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What to do if you're having mental health issues
- Try getting outside
Spending time outdoors improves mood by
- Interrupting the negativity loop in the brain
- Sights and sounds of outdoors is soothing “It's not clear exactly why outdoor excursions have such a positive mental effect. Yet, in a 2015 study, researchers compared the brain activity of healthy people after they walked for 90 minutes in either a natural setting or an urban one. They found that those who did a nature walk had lower activity in the prefrontal cortex, a brain region that is active during rumination — defined as repetitive thoughts that focus on negative emotions. “When people are depressed or under high levels of stress, this part of the brain malfunctions, and people experience a continuous loop of negative thoughts," says Dr. Strauss.” - https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/sour-mood-getting-you-down-get-back-to-nature
- Promotes movement and physical health
Ways to get more time outside:
- Schedule 20-30 minutes a few times a week
- Look for nature in local settings – Find trails and parks near by
- Ask a friend along – going with others is just as beneficial
Resources:
https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/sour-mood-getting-you-down-get-back-to-nature
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