4 Benefits of Using Outdoor Activities to Manage Your Stress Levels

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In our fast-paced, always-on world, stress has become a constant companion. We’re juggling demanding careers, family responsibilities, and a 24/7 stream of digital notifications that leave our minds feeling cluttered and our bodies feeling tense. We search for relief in a million different ways, from meditation apps to self-help books.

But what if the most powerful antidote to this modern affliction isn’t a new app or a trendy supplement, but something much more primal and accessible? A growing body of scientific research is confirming what we intuitively know: spending time in nature is one of the most effective ways to reset our minds and our bodies. Engaging in immersive outdoor activities, from a simple walk in a local park to a thrilling adventure on the water, is a powerful and proactive way to manage stress.

It’s more than just a distraction; it’s a form of active therapy. Here’s a look at the science-backed benefits of taking your stress relief outside.

1- Calms Your Mind

Our brains spend most of the modern day in a state of “directed attention,” where we are intensely focused on a task like answering an email or concentrating in a meeting. This is incredibly draining. Nature, on the other hand, engages our “soft fascination.” The gentle, effortless stimuli of the natural world—the sound of a rustling leaf, the sight of a flowing stream, the feeling of the breeze—allow our over-stimulated brains to rest and recover.

This has a profound physiological effect. Studies have shown that spending time in a natural environment can lower your heart rate, reduce your blood pressure, and decrease the level of the stress hormone cortisol in your body. Ecotherapy is a powerful tool for reducing rumination (the cycle of negative thoughts) and improving your overall mental state.

2- Combines the Power of Movement and Nature

Exercise is one of the most well-known and effective stress-busters on the planet. Physical activity helps your body to process stress hormones and releases powerful, mood-lifting chemicals called endorphins.

When you take that workout outdoors, you get a “two-for-one” special. An activity like hiking, trail running, kayaking, or mountain biking combines the proven mental health benefits of exercise with the restorative, calming effects of being in a natural environment. It’s a powerful synergy that can leave you feeling not just physically tired, but mentally refreshed and clear.

3- Forces a Natural Digital Detox

Our smartphones are a major and constant source of low-grade stress. The endless stream of notifications, the pressure to be constantly available, and the non-stop comparison culture of social media keep our nervous systems in a state of high alert.

One of the greatest, and often unintentional, benefits of heading out into nature is that it often forces a “digital detox.” Many of the most beautiful natural places—like deep river canyons or remote mountain trails—have spotty or non-existent cell service. This lack of a signal is a gift. It gives you the permission to put your phone away and to be fully present in the moment, to engage with your physical surroundings and the people you are with, without the constant pull of the digital world.

4- Provides a Powerful Sense of Perspective

When we are caught in a cycle of work-related or personal stress, our problems can feel all-consuming and enormous. One of the most powerful ways to break out of this is to experience a sense of “awe.”

Standing at the base of a towering mountain, on the shore of a vast ocean, or in a forest of ancient, giant trees has a way of recalibrating our perspective. In the face of something so vast, ancient, and powerful, our own daily worries can suddenly feel a little smaller and more manageable. This powerful dose of perspective is a natural and effective antidote to self-focused anxiety.

In our increasingly complex and digital world, the solution to our stress is often a remarkably simple one. Making a conscious effort to schedule some time outdoors is one of the most powerful, accessible, and enjoyable acts of self-care you can do.