Fresh air, blue sky, verdant greenery and the endless beauty of the horizon — few can resist the attractions of the outdoors, and a growing body of research encourages us to give in to this natural impulse. Besides being a mood elevator, time spent outdoors also does wonders for our physical wellbeing.
Cooped up in urban dwellings, many of us today are far removed from nature and the wide-open spaces. But it's never too late to reconnect with Nature and rediscover health and vitality — you could begin by gazing at the stars in the night-sky, set out a little picnic in your backyard, walk around your neighbourhood park or even drive along tree-lined avenues.

Green views

At hospitals, surgery patients housed in a room with green views have a shorter stay and require fewer pain medications as compared with those facing a brick wall, says Alok Roy, chairman and managing director of Medica Synergie, the company behind Kolkata's first green hospital — Medica Superspeciality. “Neither does this hospital look, or feel, like one,” says Roy. The walls are brightly painted with cheerful paintings and green landscapes.

Exercising outdoors

“Exercising outdoors is exhilarating. Be it trekking, exercising on the beach, or cycling around the park, there's nothing to beat it. However, one should do a combination of both indoor and outdoor workouts,” says Mrinalini Sekhar, owner of Blue Fitness Centre in Chennai. “When weather conditions are unfavourable, exercising indoors is the only option,” she adds.

Outdoor activities promote deep breathing, which relaxes the muscles and increase the body's oxygen supply; such activity also boosts immunity and promotes restful sleep. Walking is, by far, the most popular form of exercise, especially as you get older. According to fitness expert Santosh Kumar, who owns Figurine Fitness in Bangalore, walking on grass or earth with its natural surface variation gives your legs a better workout compared to treadmills. “Your legs build resistance and you challenge your balance, which tends to deteriorate with age,” he says.
Just 10 minutes of sun exposure helps your body manufacture vitamin D, which is important in preventing rickets, bone and muscle weakness and pain, and autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis. “Known as the ‘sunshine vitamin', it encourages the body's absorption of calcium, necessary for healthy teeth and bones,” says Naini Setelvad, a health and food consultant. Enough reason for you to go out and run around like you're five again. However, only the early morning or late evening sun is good for this, says Kumar, a member of The Australian Council for Physical Fitness and Health Education, who warns that exposure to the sun at other times can have detrimental effects.

Mental freshener

Gardening provides a great workout during summer in addition to the flowers and fresh produce. Contact with natural organisms helps develop a healthy immune system, and even improves mental health. Studies show that bacteria found in soil can trigger the brain to release serotonin, which lifts the spirits. Seema Nair spends her leisure hours looking after bonsais. “My bonsais need a lot of attention, and I feel depressed if I can't give them time, they are like my children,” she says. The Charity Thriva in the UK promotes gardening for people with disabilities in the belief that the activity not only cheers but also aids rehabilitation after injuries or illness.
Time spent in natural settings amidst quiet, unstructured space is believed to help the mind repair itself, sort out problems and reassess life goals. “Mountain peaks, rolling rivers and radiant sunsets will make you and your problems seem small,” says an emerging group of psychologists known as “ecopsychologists”. “We all need mini-breaks throughout our day, so we can get away from life's burdens. Being outdoors helps promote creativity and stave off burnout. It allows our brains to become restored and helps cope better with job performance.”

Green treasures

City planners have always believed that green spaces and parks not only allow urban-dwellers to enjoy the trees, flowers and open spaces but also help reduce disease, crime and social unrest. The organisation highlights the various benefits of trees such as cooling the environment, producing oxygen, removing carbon dioxide, reducing noise pollution, improving water quality and beautifying the surroundings; moreover, it believes that tree planting is a wonderful way for people of all ages to connect with nature.