Winter can be tough on our mental health, especially with the lack of natural light and time spent indoors. But spending time outside – even if it’s cold and rainy – can bring a host of mental health benefits. From lifting your mood to increasing energy levels, being outside gives you the chance to reset and refresh your mind in a way that nothing else can.
In this guide, we’ll discuss the benefits of being outdoors on mental health, from improved focus to relaxation, and provide plenty of simple tips that can help you enjoy time outside even if you have limited mobility. Read on to find out more.
Combating seasonal depression
Seasonal depression, also known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD), is a condition that worsens during the winter months when days are shorter and sunlight is limited. The change in daylight hours, especially after daylight savings, can disrupt your natural rhythm and lead to an imbalance in the production of hormones like melatonin and serotonin1. This imbalance can make you feel tired and sluggish and affect your mood.
To help combat these effects, spending time outdoors, even for just a short period each day, can support positive mental health. Simply walking in the park or doing light activities like gardening can help increase serotonin levels, improving your mood and energy.
For those with limited mobility, comfortable and supportive seating such as garden chairs or outdoor recliners can help you enjoy the outdoors without overexerting yourself. Alternatively, gentle activities such as light gardening can be made easier with gardening aids like garden kneelers, ready reachers, and outdoor grab rails.
Reducing stress and anxiety
Spending time outdoors can also significantly help lower stress and anxiety levels2. Nature has a calming effect on the body, helping to reduce the hormone cortisol, which is a key cause of stress. When we’re exposed to simple everyday stresses, cortisol levels rise leaving us feeling tense and overwhelmed, but getting outside even for short periods can help calm those feelings.
Being in natural surroundings also encourages the release of endorphins, the body’s natural “feel-good” chemicals. These endorphins can help lift your mood and reduce stress, making you feel more relaxed and at ease. To make outdoor time more comfortable, weather-appropriate wheelchair clothing, for example, can give you much-needed extra warmth during the colder months.
Boosting energy levels
Spending time outdoors is a great way to fight fatigue and boost your energy. When we spend too much time indoors, especially in winter, we can start to feel sluggish and drained. The lack of natural light and fresh air can leave us feeling tired and low on energy.
Just a little exposure to natural sunlight each day can help your body produce vitamin D, which plays a key role in regulating energy levels. Fresh air also helps with oxygen intake, giving you a natural pick-me-up that can help you feel more alert and active. And the best part is that you can benefit from extra vitamin D however you choose to spend time outdoors – whether you go for a hike or a run, enjoy a seated outdoor yoga session, or simply sit in the sun for a little while.
Improving focus
Spending time outdoors can also significantly improve your ability to concentrate and stay focused. When we're indoors, particularly during the winter months, our brains can become overstimulated by artificial lighting, screens, and constant distractions. This mental clutter can make it harder to be productive or to focus on what really matters to us. Being in nature offers a break from this overstimulation, allowing your brain to reset. Exposure to green spaces and natural light reduces mental fatigue, helping you feel more clear-headed and focused.
If long walks or strenuous outdoor activities are not possible, plan shorter, more manageable outings. Those with limited mobility may find that simply enjoying the sights and sounds of nature from a comfortable spot outside can help clear the mind and improve focus without needing to engage in more physically demanding activities.
Encouraging better sleep
Spending time outside can play a crucial role in improving sleep quality, especially during the winter months. Reduced exposure to natural light and longer nights can disrupt your body’s natural circadian rhythm, making it harder to fall asleep and wake up at the right times.
When you spend time outdoors, particularly in the morning light, it helps regulate your internal body clock, encouraging a more consistent sleep-wake cycle. Exposure to daylight boosts your mood during the day, which may aid melatonin production later in the day. This helps you feel more alert during the day and sleepier at night. Plus, outdoor activities like walking, gardening, adaptive sports or going for a ride in your wheelchair can physically tire the body, making it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep throughout the night.
Getting outdoors with Complete Care Shop
At Complete Care Shop, we offer a wide range of products to help everyone, including those with limited mobility, enjoy the outdoors safely and comfortably. Our selection includes mobility aids for indoors and outdoors, like walking aids, wheelchairs, mobility scooters, and ramps – so if there’s anything putting you off going outdoors in winter, you can find the tools you need to get outside here at Complete Care Shop. For more information or product advice, don’t hesitate to contact us.
1 https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/the-dark-side-of-daylight-saving-time
2 https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/3-ways-getting-outside-into-nature-helps-improve-your-health/2023/05#:~:text=Being%20outside%20can%20improve%20your,better%20when%20you're%20outside
