Wednesday 20 October 2010

Looking closer into the benefits of being outside.

Cold air on your body during the winter or warm sunlight on your face in the spring communicates valuable and appropriate information to your genes so that your body can serve you better.  Being outdoors for part of the day helps reset circadian rhythms and balances hormones and promotes weight loss.
Encouraging young children to be active outdoors is important for their physical, mental and social development.  Another possible mechanism relating nature to health is that of social interaction and forming relationships.
Research shows the benefits of just a little big of greenery goes way beyond a momentary mood boost - they can have a profound effect on your health.  Evidence suggests that forest and other nature areas help in people’s recovery from stress and fatigue.  The more often one visits green area, the less often one reports sickness from stress.
Plants and trees are like living, breathing air filters.  They detoxify the air by absorbing many substances that can be harmful to humans, like excess carbon dioxide and dust particles.  They also create oxygen, which we need to live and to function.  NASA researchers conducted a study years ago, which found that having just two houseplants per 100 square feet of space removed toxins and dramatically improved air quality in a house.
Exercising on a natural surface imparts tremendous benefit to your musculoskeletal system.  In order to continue to improve musculoskeletal health uneven or natural terrain like grass fields, trails, hills, and other obstacles should be utilized.  This can significantly decrease the risk of foot, ankle and knee injuries.
A variety of research has identified these startling facts:  20 percent of our four year olds are overweight and 8.5 percent of six year olds and 15 percent of 15 year olds are obese.  Obesity is linked to increasing less physical lifestyle and a reduction in outdoor activity.

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