Go Touch Grass! It’s Good for Your Health

After a long, hot summer, we finally had a truly chilly morning a few days ago. Though it was still dark, I stepped outside with my coffee to take it in. I stepped to the edge of the porch and poked at the crisp grass with my foot. This brought to mind how, in response to someone who has become a little detached from reality, folks will sometimes say that the individual needs to “go touch grass.”

We spend so much time indoors during the summer because it is uncomfortable (and dangerous) to spend too much time outdoors in temps that are over 100°F. I hate this because outdoor play is so important for kids. Believe it or not, being outdoors is also important for adults. Literally touching grass, getting fresh air, hearing birds chirp, etc. improves our health.

Benefits of spending time outdoors

Restoration of mental function

Life indoors is rife with intrusive sensory stimuli. Overstimulation from flashing screens, beeping microwaves, humming vacuums, ringing phones, etc. can increase our stress levels. The soothing sights and sounds of the outdoors, on the other hand, have a calming effect on our minds and bodies, allowing us to relax and recharge. Scientists have found that being outdoors helps individuals feel more peaceful and focused, and that it can boost problem solving and creativity.

Improved sleep

Generally, our internal clocks follow the sun, so we are sleepy when it is dark and awake when it is light. Exposure to sunlight (which is 200 times more intense than typical office light) can improve our sleep by helping us feel more tired at night, decreasing how much time it takes to fall asleep, and improving the quality of our sleep.

Increased opportunities and motivation to exercise

There are ample opportunities to exercise when outdoors. Whether it is things we typically consider to be exercise (jogging, biking, playing sports, etc.) or practical activities that require exertion (gardening, washing the car, taking the dog for a walk, etc.), there are always things to do. Thankfully, being in nature increases our motivation to engage in these activities. This is because being outdoors is more interesting than being in a gym and outdoor physical activity often feels less strenuous than indoor physical activity.

Decreased depression symptoms

Researchers have found that being outdoors lowers one’s risk of depression, decreases stress, and decreases anxiety. One reason for this may be the positive impact of sunlight. Though scientists don’t fully understand why, exposure to sunlight can help reduce depression. Additionally, being in nature can reduce cortisol levels and muscle tension.

Better lung health

It is not unusual for indoor concentrations of air pollutants to be 2-5x higher than outdoor concentrations. Thus, going outdoors gives us access to fresh air where there are fewer air pollutants to trigger allergies or exacerbate asthma and other respiratory issues. 

Better immune function

Just as the outdoor air is often less polluted than indoor air, it also contains fewer germs. In fact, the likelihood of transmitting some viruses (like COVID-19) is as much as 18.7 times higher indoors than out. Of course, there are a number of germs in nature. Many of these aren’t dangerous for humans, and exposure to them can actually benefit us by giving our immune systems something minor on which to practice.  

Enhanced emotional well-being

Though the reasons are complex and not fully understood by researchers, being outdoors can reduce fear, sadness, and worry, while promoting positive feelings like optimism, happiness, and peace. Time outdoors also appears to buffer the negative effects of social isolation and loneliness.

Final thoughts

Researchers have found that these benefits apply to both green spaces (parks, nature preserves, etc.) and blue spaces (freshwater and marine environments). However, they say that quality does matter. A walk down a busy urban street will not be as beneficial as time spent out in a rural park. It appears that biodiversity is critical—being exposed to a wide variety of flora and fauna produces better outcomes.

Thankfully, even in the most urban of settings there are usually some opportunities to get out and literally touch grass (or flowers, trees, etc.) while hearing birds chirp, feeling the breeze, and getting some sunshine. Even a quick walk through an urban park can be beneficial. 

For additional information, check out my sources:

• Nurtured by Nature
• 8 Health Benefits of Getting Back to Nature
• 3 Ways Getting Outside into Nature Helps Improve Your Health

I’m going to head out and sit with my coffee on the back porch. How will you be getting outside today? How do you make outdoor time a priority?