How Being Outside Protects Your Heart
Being inside all day under fluorescent lights is not a human’s natural environment, yet the North American lifestyle is as inactive as ever.
According to the American Heart Association: sedentary jobs have increased 83 percent since 1950. Physically active jobs now make up less than 20 percent of the U.S. workforce, down from roughly half of jobs in 1960.
“Sitting for long periods was associated with terrible health outcomes including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, and cancer.”
What Can People Do About This?
There is evidence that working out daily for a minimum of 30 minutes can counter these effects but for additional benefits go outside.
When you’re moving, your body, heart, lungs, and muscles, don’t know or care whether you are inside or outside, but your mind does. Your mental status and stress levels play a substantial role in health & heart issues.
The Benefits of Being Outside Include:
- Improves short term memory
- Reduces inflammation
- Reduces Fatigue
- Fights depression, anxiety, and stress
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves your ability to focus
- Enhances creativity
Take time out of your day and prioritize getting outside. Even a short walk around the block can have positive effects.
Take Action!
The most common excuse is “ I don’t have time.“ Everyone has time: if you work eight hours a day and sleep another eight, that gives you eight more hours every day that are unoccupied. So instead of watching the next Netflix episode, maybe go outside. You’ll be glad you did.
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