Spending Time Outdoors Can Improve Seniors’ Health and Happiness

You’ve probably heard that spending time outdoors is good for your health. Whether it’s a walk in the woods or 20 minutes spent in a sunny spot, time outside can help you feel refreshed and content.

In fact, the link between time spent in natural settings and better health for seniors is well documented — research reveals that nature-based activities really do improve mental health and well-being.

Take a look at these 6 benefits of spending time in nature, along with practical ways to reap those rewards.

1. More Vitamin D

Sun exposure helps the body produce vitamin D, which is essential to a healthy immune system and bones. This vitamin can also decrease the risk of osteoporosis, multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. Since vitamin D levels are often low among seniors, it’s important to go outside and get the nutrients you need. Just 15 minutes of natural sunlight can provide your daily dose!

2. Enhanced Mental Health

One of the most positive impacts of outdoor activities relates to mental health and happiness. Feelings of anxiety and depression can lessen when you spend time in green spaces like parks and gardens. And “forest bathing” — the practice of engaging all your senses in the great outdoors — is a natural mood-booster.

3. Increased Social Interaction

It’s easy to feel isolated inside our own four walls, but when we venture outside, we have the opportunity to meet new people or spend time with family and friends. Even the simplest interactions can make you feel more connected to your community. Plus, outdoor spaces provide an ideal setting for socialization — and getting that Vitamin D boost!

4. Less Stress

Being surrounded by the sights, smells and sounds of nature can promote relaxation, lower your blood pressure and decrease stress. Your ArchWell Health provider may also suggest a low-impact exercise like 20 to 30 minutes of walking to calm your mind and body when you’re out and about.

5. More Energy

Exposure to natural beauty can draw out feelings of awe and restore your mental energy. So if you’re experiencing mental fatigue, let nature re-energize you. Walk the dog around the block and say hi to a neighbor or two., Eat lunch on your deck and you might find the inspiration to finish that project around the house. The change of pace could be just what you need.

6. Better Sleep

Spending time outside during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night. That’s because exposure to natural light helps your body regulate its circadian rhythm, leading to better sleep quality — so you can wake up each day feeling refreshed and restored.

Easy Ways for Seniors to Spend Time Outside

Ready to get outside? You’ll be in good company. In 2022, 35% of adults ages 55 and older participated in outdoor recreation, compared to just 28% in 2018. Older adults continue to become more active, representing 1 in every 5 outdoor participants.

But you don’t have to scale a mountain or go whitewater rafting to experience the benefits of nature. Try these simple activities to help you spend more time outdoors:

• Bike around your neighborhood.

• Enjoy a picnic with people you love.

• Explore your local park.

• Go bird-watching.

• Join a nature group.

• Listen to waves crashing at the beach.

• Plant a garden or flower box.

• Play outdoor games like bocce, golf or shuffleboard.

• Relax in your backyard.

• Swim in an outdoor pool.

• Take a walk around the block.

• Try your hand at nature photography.

• Visit a local orchard or farm to pick your own fruit.

Another great way to get outside: Purchase an annual or lifetime Senior Pass from the National Park Service to gain access to hundreds of federal recreation sites, including national parks.

A Word from ArchWell Health

Whenever you head outdoors, protect your skin by wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher. And be sure to check with your ArchWell Health provider before starting a new physical activity. Even if your mobility is limited, you can reap the benefits of nature just by sitting outside.

Whatever you do, make everyday contact with nature a priority. Visit your local ArchWell Health center to find out what fun outdoor activities are in store for members this month!