8 Seriously Awesome Health Benefits Of Being Outdoors

As if you needed another reason to want to spend time in the gorgeous outdoors, in this perfect weather—right? After all, you know that amazing feeling of stepping outside, taking a deep breath and feeling the stress just fade away. But it isn’t just stress relief that fresh air can help with, it can actually offer some surprising health benefits, too.

In fact, studies continue to show the whole-body impact that spending time in nature can have, improving everything from energy and concentration to immune health and metabolism. So considering that many of us spend most of our day indoors, hunched over a keyboard, daydreaming about our weekend plans, it seems like time outdoors is just what the doctor ordered.

Here are 8 reasons nature is your health’s best friend:

1.    Happier mood. People who took a 90-minute walk in nature had significantly less activity in a part of their brain that’s linked with depression, according to a study. Not to mention that spending time outside reduces levels of cortisol, the infamous stress hormone.

2.    Healthier weight. In a study, researchers found that people exposed to more daylight—especially in the morning—had a lower body mass index (BMI) than those who spent more time indoors. Daylight may impact levels of hormones that play a role in metabolism and weight control.

3.     Lower blood pressure. Spending just 30 minutes outside at least once a week is associated with a lower risk of developing high blood pressure.

4.    Better workouts. Taking your workouts outdoors can make them feel less intense, so you can push harder for longer. One study found that people not only walked faster outdoors than indoors, but that it also felt easier.

5.    Boosted memory. One recent study found that spending time in nature may actually help to improve working memory.

6.    Improved energy. Long days at the office, running errands and having a non-stop schedule can take a toll. The solution to mental fatigue is a simple one—spending time outdoors boosts energy and inspires feelings of awe.

7.    Lower levels of inflammation. Two different studies have found that spending time out in nature may play a role in reducing inflammation.

8.    Enhanced concentration (and creativity). This is a great benefit to keep in mind the next time you hit your afternoon slump, or need help convincing your boss to have an outdoor meeting. Several studies have found that time outdoors can help to restore concentration and attention, as well as support creative problem solving.

The great outdoors + you = great health. Having your best spring yet may be easier than you thought. It’s as simple as prioritizing your health by working with your primary care provider, which will leave you feeling energized, refreshed and rejuvenated. 

With personable providers, convenient locations and a wide array of comprehensive services, Gwinnett Medical Group offers personalized care for all of your spring health needs. By making an appointment with a primary care provider, you will receive the care you need to enjoy spring to its fullest.

4 Cold-Weather Exercising Problems—Solved

When the winter months arrive, bringing with them colder temperatures and fewer hours of daylight, it’s enough to make even the toughest exerciser head indoors. But for those of you that are tough enough to endure the chilly weather—you know who you are—you’ll likely encounter at least a few of the season’s unique difficulties. Between tight muscles, stiff joints, sniffles and toes that are numb, staying active in the cold is anything but easy.

So, despite your dedication to staying active, if you think exercising in the cold bites, listen up. Kristie Willhoit, MS, Fitness Specialist with GMC’s Sports Medicine Program, provides easy ways to overcome some of the most common cold-weather annoyances.

   1. You’re either too hot or too cold. When it’s chilly outside, layers are your best friend—you can take things off or add on as needed. However, even when you dress in layers, it’s still hard to find that perfect temperature.

Solution: It may sound obvious, but before heading out for your activity, make sure to check the weather. This doesn’t just mean looking at the temperature. Check to see what the humidity is and whether or not it’s overcast, as both of these things will make it feel colder. To avoid a cold start to your workout, warm up indoors to get your blood flowing.  And don't forget to throw on a sleeveless vest while you’re at it.

   2. The cold air hurts your throat. If your throat is moist and warm, rapidly breathing in cold air comes as quite a shock to your body. Surprisingly, though, it isn’t actually the coldness of the air that’s the problem—it’s the dryness. When you’re mouth-breathing instead of nose-breathing your body doesn’t have a chance to filter, warm or humidify the air. This can irritate your throat and cause coughing for hours after.

Solution: If you’re not battling the sniffles and can handle breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth, that’s the best way to minimize throat irritation. But if you’re a tried and true mouth-breather, try wearing a scarf or bandana around your nose and mouth to keep in some of the moisture and warmth.

   3. Your runny nose just won’t quit. The same magic your nose uses to warm and moisturize the cold winter air for your lungs is the same thing that causes it to run. So, when the air is especially cold and dry, your nose is working overtime to create moisture.

Solution: While it isn’t exactly glamorous, one of the best things to do to battle a runny nose is to bring tissues with you. But if that feels like a nuisance, you can try putting some petroleum jelly around your nose; this will give your nose the illusion of more moisture and will prevent chapping.

   4. Your muscles and joints feel tighter than normal. No—it isn’t just your imagination. The cold temperatures cause muscles to tighten up and lose elasticity, both of which can make injury more likely. On top of that, it isn’t just your muscles that feel the chill; your nerves are affected, too, making it difficult to sense pain or discomfort at the first sign.

Solution: You’ve already heard it, but it’s worth saying again: take the time to warm up. Not only will you have a better, more enjoyable workout, but it will prevent injury. By doing a gradual warm-up for at least 10 minutes, starting indoors and continuing outdoors, you’re helping to up blood flow to your muscles, tendons and joints, which will minimize your risk for injury.

The key is to perform movements that utilize all your major muscle groups and take your joints through their full ranges of motion—think body weight squats, straight-leg kicks, torso twists, arm circles and side lunges.

Conquer the cold.

GMC’s established Sports Medicine program is focused on transforming the way you exercise. Our experts work to shift your focus away from difficulties to goals, from discomfort to confidence, from injury to strength. This is made possible with our extensive range of services, our knowledgeable specialists and numerous resources. You don’t compromise on exercise, so don’t compromise on care.