Outside

It’s warming up outside and the next few days look to be just LOVELY!  The sun will be out and it will be nice and toasty!  And although we need to always be aware of protecting our skin from getting burned, getting outside has many benefits!   

1. Vitamin D – This vitamin has several different benefits.  It can help strengthen bones and even prevent diseases like diabetes and heart disease.  You can get this vitamin from a supplement, but you can also get it the good ole fashion way:  sunlight. 
2. Eye Health – Studies show that being outside helps with nearsightedness.  Artificial light has a negative effect on the eyes.  Getting outside and focusing on objects farther than two feet from your face (not a TV, computer screen, phone, iPad, etc.) can help work your eyes and ward off symptoms like blurred or double vision, dry eyes, headaches, neck and back pain.
3. Reduces Stress and Depression – Getting outside is relaxing.  Sunlight increases our levels of melatonin and boosts serotonin (the “feel good” hormone).  The noon day sun delivers about 100,000 lux (a measure of luminescence).  Artificial and neon indoor lights only deliver around 150-600 lux.  Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), a type of depression, can happen during long winter months, but is also common in people who work long hours in office buildings.     
4. Exercise – It’s hard to mention going outside without mentioning exercise.  Lots of activities outdoors get people up and moving.  Gardening, mowing, playing sports, hiking, climbing trees, riding bikes, playing tag, hoola hooping, jump roping…….. The list could go on and on!
5. Sights, Sounds and Smells – There are so many senses that can be stimulated outside!  The beautiful trees and creeks and mountains…… The sounds of birds and animals and cars…… The smell of grass and dirt and sweat……  Yep, those are all good!  

I spent a lot of time outside when I was growing up.  There weren’t any electronic devices to play with like there are now.  So I climbed trees and rode bikes and went on lots of adventures.  These days….many people are missing out on these fundamental experiences.  Being outside gives kids all kinds of creative outlets!  They get to use their bodies AND their minds.  It’s something that I hope we don’t lose during this age of technology.  So this weekend…….I challenge all of us to do this:

Have a WONDERFUL and ADVENTUROUS weekend!!!