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I hope you're reading this post on your Smart Phone from your garden, the woods, or a beach somewhere — because it's still July 4th weekend and there are just no excuses for holing up inside.
In fact, it turns out that being outside is a medically prescribed good idea, or so says this article in the July 2010 issue of Harvard Health Letter. Here are their top five reasons to put your laptop away and go out and play — just as soon as you finish reading this post.
1. Your vitamin D levels rise thanks to sunlight hitting your skin, which creates and activates this vitamins, which can help stave off osteoporosis, cancer, depression and herat attacks. Don't overdo it — limited sun exposure, such as a short walk without SPF will do it. (Then SPF it up for prolonged sun exposure, especially in the middle of the day.)
2. You’ll get more exercise because you have to move your body to get there — and once you are outside, you're more likely to go for a jog, do some gardening, or heck, just play on a swingset. Which means less time in front of the television and computer and more time putting the body in motion.
3. Your concentration will improve. Children with ADHD seem to focus better after being outdoors. Researchers don't know if that applies to adults as well, but if you're having trouble staying on task, try a little shot of sunshine.
4. You may heal faster. In one study, people recovering from spinal surgery experienced less pain and stress and took fewer pain medications when they were exposed to natural light. Other research has shown that hospital patients with views of trees from their rooms do better than patients with views of parking lots.
5. You’ll be happier. Light tends to elevate people’s mood, and there’s usually more light available outside than in. Plus, physical activity (see #2) can also help boost your mood.
More on getting outside:
Want a Self-Esteem and Mental Health Boost? Get Outside!
Go Green, Live Rich: Get Outside
Go Play Outside: Just Five Minutes of "Green" Exercise is Enough to Make a Difference
