5 Reasons To Spend More Time In Nature

27 July 2018

Here at Pure Leisure, our parks are situated in some of the most beautiful parts of the UK. All within easy access of some of the best walking routes, seaside towns, and golf courses the country has to offer. Getting away from the hustle and bustle is something that we all need to do from time to time. But there are plenty of great reasons to spend more time in nature other than simply enjoying a break.

With our modern lives, most of us wind up spending far too much time in front of a screen in our day to day lives. Whether that be at work or just scrolling for miles on our phones.

There are a great many everyday benefits of spending time in nature. So we thought we’d run through a few to give you the boost you may need to head out and find some greenery.

Indoor air pollution is bad for you

You probably wouldn’t think so, but the air inside your home can actually be polluted just like outdoor air can, and few people think about the harm it can do. The British Lung Foundation states that poor indoor air quality is linked to asthma, COPD and lung cancer, and most of us spend about 90% of our time indoors.

This pollution is caused by things like ventilation, room temperature, damp, chemicals used to clean or decorate. As well as things we are allergic to, such as dust and pet dander. We should all be taking steps to improve the air quality in our homes, and they offer some tips here, but spending more time in nature is one way you can be sure you are breathing in more clean air.

Nature improves your vitality

Studies have shown that spending time in nature that is rich in vegetation improves your vitality, giving you more energy and enthusiasm, as well as making you more resilient to physical illnesses.

What is interesting is that it’s the act of being outside in nature itself that has this effect. While most people probably assume that the main benefit of being outdoors is to be more active. Of course, being active in nature will have double the benefits. But these studies do show that even if you are less active, the mere practice of being around nature will have its own psychological and physical benefits.

Being exposed to plants boosts immunity

Scientists have found that people who spend more time in nature have an increased immune function. This is partly due to phytoncides which are chemicals released by plants to protect themselves from insects and from rotting.

These chemicals are actually beneficial to humans too. So try to get out and about as much as possible to give your immune system a boost.

Sunlight has plenty of health benefits

Sunlight gives us a much-needed dose of vitamin D. This helps to prevent cancer and osteoporosis and is essential for general wellbeing including mental health.

It has also been shown to have an effect on a number of health conditions, and those with low vitamin D levels are actually at an increased risk of heart attacks. A vitamin D deficiency has also been linked to irritable bowel syndrome, a condition that accounts for 10% of visits to GP surgeries.

Being outdoors improves attention and memory

Fresh air and sunshine can actually help to improve your attention span, as well as your memory.

Research from the University of Illinois showed that children with ADHD were able to focus much better after a 20-minute walk in a green area. Whereas walking in other settings did not have as much of an improvement.

Other studies have found similar results, which shows that spending a little time outdoors can definitely be useful if you have a hard time concentrating. It has also been shown to improve your short-term memory by 20 percent!

Be sure to check the availability at our parks if you fancy booking yourself a break to be closer to nature! Check out the beautiful locations of our parks here.