If you need home care in Southend, chances are that you don’t feel too confident going out and about on your own. However, spending time outside in nature has a host of benefits for your mental and physical health.
There is also no reason why you can’t ask your carer to take you out as part of the time they spend with you, which can not only be an excellent way for you to get some fresh air and potentially some exercise, but also to bond with them over different topics.
One study suggested that to get the most benefits from time outside, each of us should spend at least 120 minutes per week in natural environments, as this level of exposure to natural spaces returned the highest levels of both health and wellbeing.
But what are the benefits of getting outside on a regular basis? And how could doing so improve your quality of life?
Here are five excellent reasons to include time outdoors as part of your regular schedule and to ask your carer to support you in accessing nature several times a week.
Improved immune system
It’s well known that as we age, our immune system weakens. This means your body finds it harder to protect itself from infections and it is also why the rate of cancer increases among older cohorts of the population.
Being outside can help to counter this by ensuring that you are exposed to vitamin D, which is essential for maintaining your immune system. What’s more, vitamin D is important for your skeletal health, which is essential as you age.
Keeping your bones strong and healthy can reduce the risk of serious injuries should you suffer a trip or fall.
Typically, you only need exposure to sunlight for around five to 15 minutes two to three times per week to top up your vitamin D levels. In the winter months you might need a bit longer as the sunlight is weaker.
This means even a short walk around your local park with the support of your carer could help to improve your immune system and therefore prevent you from falling ill.
Better sleep
We all know that sleeping well is essential for our body’s recovery. However, as you get older it can become harder and harder to sleep through the night. Spending time outdoors can help with this too – especially if you are able to be out in natural light early in the morning.
This is because exposure to natural light regulates your circadian rhythm, which is what regulates your body over the course of the day. When you have spent time outdoors, your body better aligns to nature’s rhythms, which can not only help you sleep better at night but also make you more alert during the day.
Improved cognitive function
This is an important aspect of health for many older people. If you are at risk of developing dementia or Alzheimer’s you are likely exploring ways in which to keep your mind sharp.
Going for short walks outdoors is a simple and effective way to improve your cognition. One study found that walking in nature for just 15 minutes could improve both reaction times and attention levels after the walk in a way that doing the same level of exercise indoors could not.
Regularly participating in outdoor activities can also slow the rate of cognitive decline you experience as you age, so if your carer can help you spend time outdoors then this is certainly a worthwhile activity to add to your routine.
Lower stress levels
Stress is known to cause a range of health problems and to increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and autoimmune conditions, in addition to depression and anxiety.
As you age, it’s therefore important to do whatever you can to lower your stress levels to help support your continued physical and mental health. Getting your carer to take you for a walk to your local nature reserve or green space could be the boost you need in every respect.
If you are able to walk yourself, but simply need to have someone on hand in case you need support, do your best to incorporate physical activity with your time outdoors as this will help keep you healthy.
Another reason being outdoors is a good way to lower your stress levels is that exposure to sunlight encourages your body to produce more serotonin, which helps keep you happy, calm and positive.
Grow your community
People who feel part of a community and who have a strong social circle often feel happier and healthier than those who are more isolated. If you have health conditions that make it challenging for you to leave home alone, it is understandable if you feel more isolated.
When you make going outdoors a regular part of your routine, you will likely find there are others in your neighbourhood who do the same. Use this as an opportunity to strike up conversations and meet new people.
Depending on where you live and what space is close to your home, you may even be able to find a community group you can participate in who spend time in green spaces. For instance, if there’s a community garden you could go along when volunteers are running sessions.
Better still, if you are physically able to, you could volunteer and do some light gardening while you’re there. This will help you not only connect to nature, but also to other people in your community.
The truth is there are a multitude of reasons why spending time outdoors is good for our health. As we get older, it can be all too easy for our worlds to shrink. This is why it’s so important to talk to your carers about what activities you would like to include in your routine.
By having those conversations, you can work out a way to regularly spend time outdoors in the fresh air, enabling you to stay happy and healthy for longer.
