Whether you consider yourself a nature lover or not, there’s no denying the sensation you feel after going on a nature trip. A clear head comes after walking in the woods, strolling on the beach, or climbing up a mountain to enjoy the view. You may have also felt refreshed and recharged after swimming in a lake or the sea. As it turns out, science backs up the calming effect these experiences produce, adding more reasons to book a nature trip the next time you go on vacation.
For people living in the city, a nature trip provides a needed break from the hustle and bustle of the metro. can often be enough to rejuvenate your senses. Whether you’ve been planning to get away to spend some time among natural scenery or it’s an idea you have yet to warm up to, here are some of the reasons why going on a nature trip can be good for you.
Nature Can Boost Your Attention Span
It makes sense – in the city, you are constantly inundated with information and moving images that come with living in a world integrated with technology. There is a constant barrage of stimuli that compete for your attention. Devices have long been thought to impact our attention span negatively, and research supports this. A paper published in Front Psychology finds that using smartphones and other similar devices may have a poor and lasting impact on users’ ability to think, remember, pay attention, and regulate emotions.
The good news? Spending time in nature can reverse these effects. According to a published in the Association for Psychological Science, even just viewing photos of nature can remedy the situation. But why not go all the way? Reap the other benefits of a nature trip, such as bonding or exercise.
Exposure Improves Creativity
Great artists, writers, and creatives have long unlocked this secret: how many talented people have you heard holing up in the woods or nature for some creative inspiration? They were clearly on to something there.
After all, being in nature does not only increase your attention span, it does wonders to improve your creativity and get those creative juices flowing by up to an impressive 50%, according to a . The research shows that the benefits accrue “after living for a few days steeped in nature” – so the longer you spend in nature, the more it boosts your creativity.
Nature Can Be a Mood Booster
Did you also know that looking at nature can improve a person’s mood and well-being? A study published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that a meta-analysis of studies on nature walks and depression over the years confirmed a link between nature walks and the improvement of one’s mental health. It creates a positive impact on symptoms of depression and anxiety.
This long confirms studies such as one from , which found quantifiable evidence that walking in nature can lead to a lower risk of depression after comparing participants who walked for 90 minutes in a nature-filled area, compared to those who walked in a high-density city.
It Can Help You Start a Fitness Routine
Not particularly motivated by the idea of a gym membership? Perhaps give you that push. Just nearly everything involved in a nature trip can already get you to : from walking in various terrain and inclined paths to carrying gear and possibly climbing.
If you’re trekking to a lake or a waterfall, even swimming can help you move a little more! Walking around with a backpack as you traverse the woods can help you achieve some fitness gains. Once you’ve started moving around more regularly, adding more things to your fitness routine even when you’re back in the city becomes much easier.
It Lets You Enjoy Clean Air and Sunlight
While it's stating the obvious, clean air and sunlight become a luxury after spending your time cooped up indoors in the city. Naturescapes offer high air quality as well as the warm rays of the sun, which gives you vitamin D and lowers your risk of autoimmune diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, and other illnesses. Remember to protect yourself with sunscreen when you’re out soaking up the sunshine.
Keep yourself refreshed after spending some time in nature with Dove Men+Care Extra Fresh Body & Face Bar, which leaves the skin feeling refreshed, hydrated, and invigorated. It rinses off easily and leaves skin feeling healthy and strong to help protect skin against dryness. Don’t forget to wash up with CLEAR Cool Sport Menthol Anti-Dandruff Shampoo for Men. It takes care of sweat, grease, and dandruff, clearing your head to allow you to focus on your goals – much like going on a nature trip.
Keep your face free of oil and grime, too, with Master Deep Cleanser Oil Control Max. It removes deep-seated dirt and excess oil with anti-bacterial agents to help prevent pimples. Cooling ZERO oil controls oil for up to eight hours, leaving skin feeling incredibly refreshed.
Have you packed your bags already? Go on and take that nature trip. Once you start climbing mountains, you’ll be surprised at how easy other hurdles become.