Spending Time Outside Is Good For You

Quality time spent in nature is essential, particularly as the days shorten in fall and winter, when your body's need for vital sunlight is greatest.

Vitamin D production drops significantly when temperatures fall and people stay indoors. Your body still needs it for calcium absorption, bone health, muscle function, and cardiovascular support. Research also shows it plays a role in lowering the risk of certain cancers.

I make it a point to get outside for 15-20 minutes during midday, even in cold weather. The sun is strongest then, and exposing just your face and hands can provide a noticeable mood boost along with the vitamin D your body needs.

Cold weather requires a more strategic approach than summer, but the benefits don't disappear just because the temperature drops. You adapt your method instead of abandoning the practice entirely.

Spending time in nature does more than supply vitamins. It recalibrates your stress hormones (reduces stress) and supports immune function in ways that staying inside simply can't replicate. It offers numerous mental, physical, and emotional benefits like improved respiratory health, better focus, and lower blood pressure. Spending time in natural environments can even improve your sleep quality and increase creativity and problem-solving skills.

This weekend, get outside for at least 15 minutes during the brightest part of the day. Your body will register the difference even if your mind tries to talk you out of it because it's cold. It's important to maintain these essential practices year-round, regardless of weather or schedule constraints!