13 Reasons You Should Be Spending More Time Outside

Go take a hike.

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Forest visits have been shown to increase number (by nearly 50%) and activity of natural cancer-killing cells. (Source).

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Source.

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Following stressful events, blood pressure, heart rate, and muscle tension have all been seen to decrease faster in natural environments than in urban settings. (Source.)

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People who take part in conservation projects report feeling part of a system greater than themselves, and improvements in overcoming social isolation. (Source.)

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People who walked in natural settings showed a 16% increase in working memory in comparison to those who walked in urban environments. (Source.)

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Exposure to natural daylight — preferably at the same time every morning and for about 15 minutes — can help maintain a normal circadian rhythm. (Source.)

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Negative ions — which are found abundantly in the air around waterfalls, crashing waves, and in rainfall — have been shown to lighten moods, relieve depression, and increase energy level. (Source.)

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Neighborhoods with natural spaces have shown fewer reports of aggression and decreased crime rates in comparison to those without. (Source.)

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Exposure to natural settings — through things like wilderness walking, gardening, or even seeing trees outside your apartment building — has been linked to decreased "attention fatigue" and reduced symptoms in people with ADHD. (Source.)

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Gardening has been shown to decrease symptoms in people with depression by providing distraction from rumination. (Source.)

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Exposure to natural landscapes has been shown to inspire more long-term hope for the future. (Source)

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Greenery in the workplace has been shown to increase concentration, memory retention, and accuracy among employees. (Source.)

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Senior citizens living in urban areas with walkable green spaces showed greater life span than those without. (Source.)