There’s something magical about fall. The crisp air, the red and golden leaves all around you, and the soft glow of the sunlight. However, beyond its beauty, it offers an opportunity to take care of your mental health. As the days get shorter and the sun disappears for a longer time, it is easy to fall back into your old habits of staying indoors.
So, here’s why spending time outdoors this season can benefit your mind, body, and soul.
1. Reduces Stress & Anxiety
Fall is the perfect time to go on trail walks and hikes to fully admire the beauty of nature. One study has shown that exposure to nature can regulate the sympathetic nervous system (“fight or flight” response) in just 5 minutes. Multiple studies show that spending time in nature lowers cortisol, the stress hormone, slows your heart rate, and lowers your blood pressure. Surrounding yourself with nature helps your body reset from the constant stress of daily life. You can go on a hike through the woods, a walk in the local park, or even just rake the leaves in your yard.
2. Improves Cognitive Function
Spending time outdoors isn’t just good for your emotional wellbeing. It’s also beneficial for your brain. Research shows that exposure to nature can improve sleep, memory, creativity, and attention. The serenity of nature allows your prefrontal cortex to recharge. This is the area of your brain that controls your decision-making, emotional regulation, and impulse control. Moreover, studies have shown that walking in nature can increase short-term memory and attention. So, if you’ve been struggling with brain fog or feeling mentally drained, take a break by spending time in nature. Even a short walk can help reset your brain.
3. Cooler Weather Feels Refreshing
Summer’s heat can leave you feeling overly sweaty, dehydrated, and overstimulated. On the other hand, the cooler fall weather makes physical activity more comfortable. Whether you choose to walk, hike, or cycle outdoors, it doesn’t just benefit your physical health but also your mental health. Physical activity releases endorphins, which are your brain’s natural mood enhancers. Being surrounded by the vibrant colours of fall and the cool wind on your face engages your senses in a way that working out in a gym simply can’t.
4. Connecting with Seasonal Change Builds Resilience
Fall is a season of transition. Spending time outdoors serves as a reminder that change, although often uncomfortable, is natural and necessary, and can result in beautiful outcomes. This perspective can be comforting during stressful times, helping us build emotional resilience and acceptance.
5. It Encourages Social Connection
Apple picking, visiting pumpkin patches, hiking with friends, and sharing a campfire are only some of the outdoor activities in the fall that foster connection. Human relationships thrive in shared experiences and outdoor gatherings often feel more relaxed and meaningful than indoor meetups. Maintaining good relationships is key to good mental health. So use this season to meet up with friends and family, and spend some time outdoors doing fun fall activities!
Conclusion
The easy thing about spending time in nature is that you don’t always need to be doing something. You can easily just stand outside and admire nature while feeling a sense of calm. It doesn’t always have to be tedious or tiring. This fall, make it your goal to spend at least 15 minutes outside everyday. Go for a walk during your lunch break, go on a hike with your friends, or simply sit on your porch with a warm drink. Fall is the perfect time to pause, breathe, and reconnect with yourself and the world around you.
References:
Gregory, S. Y. (2024, March 4). The mental health benefits of nature: Spending time outdoors to refresh your mind. Mayo Clinic Press. https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/mental-health/the-mental-health-benefits-of-nature-spending-time-outdoors-to-refresh-your-mind/
Gladwell, V. F., Brown, D. K., Barton, J. L., Tarvainen, M. P., Kuoppa, P., Pretty, J., Suddaby, J. M., & Sandercock, G. R. H. (2012). The effects of views of nature on autonomic control. European Journal of Applied Physiology, 112(9), 3379–3386. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00421-012-2318-8
keillor.jon. (2024, January 3). Getting to the root cause of sleepless nights – Mayo Clinic Press. Mayo Clinic Press.
