Graduate students at the University of Minnesota did research that showed that seniors could be healthier and happier if they spent more time outside. According to the research, seniors who spend a lot of time outdoors in blue and green places like parks or near ponds feel more connected and refreshed.
Here are some of the ways that being outside is good for seniors' health.
Helps people's minds
Seniors may feel less depression and anxiety if they spend time outside. People who run, bike, or walk outside are less likely to have mental health problems than those who do their exercise indoors. Relaxing in nature can make people feel better and make them feel happier overall.
Helps eliminate fatigue
We've all had times when our brains just didn't seem to be working right. Mental fatigue is what researchers call it.
Exposing your mind to restorative environments, like the great outdoors, can help get it back into gear. Awe is one of the best ways to give your mind a boost, and natural beauty can make you feel awestruck. One study found that just looking at pictures of nature gave people a mental boost, but pictures of cities had no effect.
Improves relationships and makes people feel less alone.
Getting outside makes it easier to meet new people or spend time with friends and family. Nature is a good place to feel spiritually connected and to get away from the stresses of later life, like boredom, isolation, and loneliness. Spending time in natural places also makes people feel like they have a purpose and have accomplished something.
Less chance of dying early overall
One study suggests that nearby green space is especially important for the health of people who live in cities.
In a follow-up study, the same group of researchers found that people who lived close to green space were less likely to get a wide range of diseases. And a paper from 2016 that was published in Environmental Health Perspectives found a similar link: more greenness was linked to a 12% lower death rate. Cancer, lung disease, and kidney disease deaths were less likely, which was the biggest change.
Could be used to fight depression and anxiety
Spending time in nature, especially when combined with exercise, may help with anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems. A study found that going for walks in the forest was linked to less stress and sadness. Another study found that outdoor walks could be "useful clinically as a supplement to existing treatments" for major depressive disorder.
There are many ways to get outside.
To get the health benefits of being outside, you don't have to go on a hard hike. There are a lot of ways to get older people to go outside and be active. Here are some simple ways to start.
Birdwatching
Birdwatching is a great way for seniors to connect with nature while being outside.
Many older people are surprised by how much they enjoy it. It doesn't take long for someone who has never done it before to realize how relaxing and healing birdwatching can be.
If you live in the Redding area, you can see a wide range of birds that live there or pass through. Read our blog post for tips on how to spot some of the more than 50 different bird species that have been seen on and around the Meadow Ridge campus.
Picnics
Picnicking is the best way to spend time outside. A picnic is a great way to get an elderly loved one outside and into the fresh air, whether it's a meal for two in the backyard or a feast with friends in the park.
Fruit Picking
If you pick your own apples, strawberries, raspberries, or another kind of fruit, you can get some exercise outside and stock up on healthy foods. Here is a list of farms where you can pick your own fruit if you live in Fairfield County.
Gardening
This is one of the most popular things for older people to do outside. It's also a great way for older people to keep moving. Some people don't think of gardening as exercise, but it's a great way for seniors to keep up their strength and do a little bit of aerobic activity every day.
Walks
Going for a walk is a great way to see the world, get some fresh air, and get away from stress and other things that might be bothering you. It's also one of the light exercises that doctors and nurses recommend the most.
No matter how you do it, getting outside is good for your health in many ways. Find out more about how Meadow Ridge helps people live healthy and well in every way here.
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