Benefits of Spending Time Outside for Seniors

When you spend time outdoors, do you feel like you’ve done something refreshing and good for the soul? Recent research from the University of Minnesota backed this up, finding that seniors who spend time outside in green areas like parks or blue areas like bodies of water feel renewed and connected. It probably won’t surprise you to learn that time spent in nature is good for a senior’s health as well. Let’s look at some of the benefits of spending time outside for senior citizens.

• Getting out in the sunshine boosts your vitamin D. This is a major reason why it’s good for seniors to spend time outside. The body can’t absorb vitamin D from supplements as readily as it does from a few minutes a day in direct sun exposure. Because the body won’t store vitamin D, it’s important to spend time outside every day, to reap the benefits of vitamin D. These benefits include fighting osteoporosis, helping prevent cancer, and lowering the risk of depression.
• Seniors can improve their mental health by spending time in nature. Time spent outdoors can alleviate depression and anxiety. When that time is spent exercising, it’s even more beneficial! Exercising outside lowers the chance of mental health issues more than exercising indoors, and spending time in nature can boost not just your mood but also your overall happiness.
• Time spent outside reduces stress. Along with the other mental health benefits of seniors spending time outside, add stress reduction to the list. Sunshine increases blood flow to the brain, boosting serotonin and helping stress to evaporate. What’s more, being out in nature can reduce mental fatigue and help keep your brain working smoothly.
• When you go outside, you often have positive social interactions. Maybe you’re hanging out with your friends, or maybe you’ll meet new people along the way. It’s all good for helping promote a sense of well-being. You’ll also gain spiritual connections from being outside and feel the strain of daily life begin to dissipate.
• Seniors who spend time outdoors are healthier. They’re less sedentary and more likely to keep their bodies moving, which prevents muscle mass loss and promotes cardiovascular health. Their immune systems are stronger, because being outside increases the white blood cell count. This means they’ll have an easier time fighting off viruses and other ailments. What’s more, research indicates that people who spend time outside may have an easier, less painful recovery period after surgery. Finally, science has shown that people who spend more time in green spaces are less likely to die prematurely.

If you’re looking for a senior community with relaxing outdoor settings, come take a tour of a Cambridge Village community. At each Cambridge Village location, you can experience Optimal Living® for active adults that’s given us the reputation of being one of North Carolina’s premier communities. We offer an exceptional lifestyle, with evolving wellness, concierge healthcare, and engaged experience, for a retirement that exceeds your expectations. For more information, contact us through our website.