Mental Health and...the Outdoors? (Oct. Post)

The month of October in Wisconsin can mark the beginning of a bad few months for some people. The weather is terrible, you are limited to what you can do, outside and in, and people just generally tend to be in a worse mood during this time of year. Generally, the mental health of any person will go down by some amount during winter.

One technique many will use to combat poor mental health is to utilize the outdoors. It has been clinically proven that the outdoors, natural sunlight, fresh air, and greenery improves anxiety, depression, and overall mental health. Sunlight improves your vitamin D levels in your body which improves mood. It also helps you sleep better at night.

Studies have shown that those who spend too much time in an urban environment tend to experience "sensory overload on a daily basis" and become more tired by the end of the day than someone who lives in a much more rural area.

A photograph representing sensory overload

Many people will say that they don't have time to take for themselves and spend half an hour outside whether it is winter or summer. But it doesn't have to be that difficult. Even something as simple as taking a different route to work by taking a more scenic drive can be beneficial to living a healthier lifestyle.

There are lots of activities that you can do outside even when it is cold. You can exercise outside instead of inside. Or pick up an outdoor sport. Or view wildlife that you can only see in the winter. Just 15 minutes a day can greatly improve your mood and overall mental health.

As always if you have any questions or comments on what I write about, contact me on the above tab!

- Brady.