All who wander are not lost, they may just be enjoying the adventures of travel and exploring new places. One of the best things a person can do is to spend time immersed in nature, outdoor adventures and activities have many benefits, including improved mental clarity and lifting your spirit, regardless of age.
Outdoor adventure can be different for each person, this could be birdwatching, hiking, visiting a national park, mountaineering, camping, cleaning garbage from roadsides, an afternoon stroll in the park, canoeing, swimming at the beach, biking in the countryside, boogie boarding, outdoor roller skating on a trail, or going white water rafting. Whatever the outdoor adventure may be, they likely all share a sense of anticipation, the physical vitality of being outside in nature, and supply you with an adrenaline rush while engaged in the adventure as well as the feeling of accomplishment.
Nature nurtures, it is healing, inspiring, and helps distract our minds from the hustle and bustle of modern society. Sometimes we need to take the time to slow down and smell those roses. While you are in a forest or park surrounded by trees, they are releasing phytoncide chemicals that help to support the immune system, while listening to birdsong can calm our brainwaves. Looking at complex fractal patterns in the clouds, ocean waves, and coastline can also help to relax the brain. In fact, studies show that people perform tasks better after being outside for a 15–45-minute walk.
The power of mindset
Regular outdoor activity and adventure can help to transform a pessimistic outlook on aging to a more excited outlook about living. Science is showing that when it comes to aging, mindset matters more than most people realize. The way one perceives their aging can be predictive of how well they age. For example, pessimistic outlooks have been shown to put one at a greater risk of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular disease, while having an optimistic and positive outlook can add up to seven years to your life.
Mindset and positivity can make a difference in your life, take for example a study published in JAMA Network Open assessing over 14,000 adults aged 50+ found that those who were more optimistic had a 43% lower risk of dying during the next 4 years compared to those with a pessimistic outlook on aging and life. Another study led by Yale researchers found that those with a more positive view lived an average of 7.5 years longer than those with a more pessimistic outlook.
Both of these studies highlighted that attitude and outlook can have a greater impact on longevity than factors like low blood pressure, low cholesterol, healthy weight, abstaining from smoking, or regular exercise. A positive attitude leads to increased resilience by helping you cope with challenges and setbacks. An optimistic outlook helps with stress management to promote overall well-being. Most importantly, a positive mindset promotes enhanced happiness and life satisfaction which can lead to improved quality of life.
The value of simply being outdoors
Most people underestimate the value of spending time outdoors, but what better way to achieve mental clarity, lift your spirit, improve your health and extend your longevity is there than spending time outside in nature? Those who live in urban areas can benefit from outdoor green and blue spaces, which are linked to a reduced risk of stroke and heart disease. For those of us that spend a lot of time inside, don’t forget about the positive effects that indoor plants can have on air quality, stress, creativity, cognitive function, moods, and overall well-being.
Do what makes you happy
For some reason culture has “programmed” us to believe that we lose the ability to learn and have fun as we get older. You can even hear people saying, “I’m too old for that”. What a bunch of rubbish. Age is just a number, and as for the brain it has this thing called plasticity that has the ability to create new and different neural pathways to help us learn and problem solve, which is why it is important to train your brain, do new things, and keep learning throughout life.
So go outdoors and play pickleball or learn a new language. Go for that hike, take up gardening, learn to scuba dive, do what makes you happy. Life is far too short, and there is a big World out there waiting to be explored. Go outside, do more of what makes you happy. Be well and have fun!
This article was written by Tamsyn Julie Webber at the WHN News Desk
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement.
Opinion Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of WHN/A4M. Any content provided by guest authors is of their own opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything else. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
