Top 10 Benefits of Spending Time in Nature

Enjoying the fresh air, the sunlight on one’s skin and bare feet in the sand can bring us so many small pleasures, invigorating us and restoring our energy. There are lots of benefits to spending time outdoors, some of which you might find surprising. Whether you’re relaxing in your backyard garden with a refreshing iced tea or going on an exciting white water rafting trip, being outside has lots of benefits.

It Affects Mood Positively

There is a range of outdoor activities suited to all fitness levels and preferences. Whether it’s going swimming in the sea, walking the dog, or mountain biking, finding outdoor activities that you enjoy boosts your mood and makes you feel better. Time in nature also helps you to relax and think clearly.

Relieves Stress

Stress can be reduced by disconnecting from screens and spending some time outdoors. The simple act of going outside for five minutes each day can have a calming effect on our brains. A walk, hike, or other outdoor activity will get your blood flowing. It is yet another way to reduce stress.

It Improves Short Term Memory

How could you have ever thought that spending a little time in nature would improve your memory? Researchers from the University of Michigan found that students who went on regular nature walks retained information much better. So, if you want to boost your short term memory, go hiking or stroll in the nearest park.

Defends Against Inflammation

The body can become inflamed for a variety of reasons, such as depression, cancer, or autoimmune diseases. Research has demonstrated that walking in the woods a little each week reduced inflammation in the body. Thus, if you want to help your body fight the inflammations, spend a little more time in nature.

Boosts Vitamin D

Certainly, too much sun can damage the skin and contribute to the creation of cancer cells. According to studies, being exposed to sunshine for between 15 and 20 minutes a day will allow the body to absorb vitamin D, which strengthens bones and reduces the risk of cancer, diabetes, and multiple sclerosis.

Improves Sleep Quality

Our bodies can better regulate sleep patterns when we spend time in natural light. After the sun sets, our brains release the appropriate amount of melatonin to enable us to sleep well. Researchers have discovered that a week spent camping in winter resets the body’s “clock” to be in harmony with nature’s light and dark cycles.

Boosts the Immune System

Outdoor activities and exposure to sunlight can boost the immune system, according to research. Stay healthy by taking a short walk outside or enjoying a bit of time outdoors. Maintaining a moderate to brisk activity level for at least 30 minutes can help your immune system fight viruses and bacteria.

It Is Good for Your Vision

Eyesight can be damaged by staring at screens for long periods of time. We benefit from taking a break from staring at computers, televisions, or smartphones when we are outside. A study by Australian scientists even found that children who spend time outdoors are less likely to develop myopia in old age.

Creativity is Encouraged

A rainbow of colours can be seen in nature, from orange sunsets to seafoam green waters and rose-coloured gardens. Spending time outdoors offers the opportunity to be inspired by the amazing sights, sounds, and smells of nature.

Increases Spiritual Awareness

Walking in a park on your own provides an opportunity to clear your mind and can even be regarded as a form of meditation. When we spend time in nature, we are able to breathe in the fresh air, listen, feel, and live in the moment. Often, nature reveals meaningful metaphors that can assist us in connecting with our spirituality.

Best British Athletes of All Time

Which UK athlete is the greatest of all time? The GOAT of the world of sport in the UK? To put it mildly, that’s a complicated question. Men’s and women’s athletes, as well as competitions from the Olympic and individual realms, are considered, across all the different eras, looking at not only the greatest of each sport but the greatest of all. So, even if many may disagree, here’s the list of the best British athletes of all time.

Sir Chris Hoy

Olympic cyclist Old Jumbo Thighs Hoy is the most decorated Olympian of all time with seven Olympic medals, six golds and one silver. For the first time in 100 years, a Brit won three gold medals in a single Olympics. He has won 11 World Championship titles as well. In addition to having been inspired to begin cycling by the film ET, he’s an entirely decent guy as well, which is worth more than points.

Robbie Dale, CC BY-SA 2.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lennox Lewis

Lewis boxed for Canada at the Olympics, but he was a proud Brit by the time he did what he did best. He was also the world’s undisputed heavyweight champion at one time, which is rare these days. After defeating Evander Holyfield in 1999, he became WBC Heavyweight champion in 1993. As a result of his victories over Mike Tyson in 2002 and Vitali Klitschko a year later, he showed that he could beat the best in the business.

Jonny Wilkinson

In the 2003 World Cup final, he scored a famous drop goal to end years of underachievement in rugby. In arguably helping pave the way for England’s success, he helped prove that England could win under the greatest pressure on the biggest stage. England reached the 2007 final as Wilko’s cool head kept Australia and France from scoring. The local Toulon fans fell in love with him during his final season with the club, just like the Twickenham crowd did years earlier.

Fanny Schertzer, CC BY 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Andy Murray

Prior to Tim Henman, British tennis was laughed at all over the globe. Yet, the man from Dunblane caught up to him in 2012, winning the US Open and Wimbledon in the same year. The Scot won the Grand Slam for the first time since Fred Perry in 1930, and he won it at the same time as such greats as Federer and Nadal. Andy’s star will shine even brighter if he manages to help Britain win the Davis Cup and so far no one player has won the tournament virtually all by themselves.

Nick Faldo

While Rory McIlroy is well on his way to becoming a legendary player, he hasn’t yet equaled the achievement of golf’s “Mr Single-minded”. Three of Faldo’s major championships in America were Open Championships and three Masters. A peak of his power saw him ranked number one in the world for 98 weeks. A member of 11 Ryder Cup teams, Faldo is also known for helping to end America’s dominance in the sport.

User:SeamusSweeney, CC BY-SA 3.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Lewis Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton showed that he has talent when he joined Formula 1 in 2007. It was one of the greatest rookie seasons in F1 history. In the past few years he has been breaking record by record. In 2020. he won his seventh F1 Title – the record that belonged to legendary Michael Schumacher. Last year, he almost broke even that one! Just a couple of laps before the end of the last race of the 2021 F1 season everyone thought that the eighth Title was in his hands. To his misfortune, some unexpected things happened and turned things in Max Verstappen’s favour. Still, Hamilton’s career is one of the most successful ever, and it’s not over yet.