Summit County Citizens Voice

Exercise, spiritual rejuvenation and family fun in the great outdoors

Hiking in Colorado.

Nature is soothing.

By Erin McKinney

SUMMIT COUNTY —Whether gardening or walking through a forest, most of us love spending time in nature without really knowing why. It gives us a sense of peace and amazement. And something mysterious draws us to the great outdoors as well. One reason may be the numerous health benefits of spending time in nature, which have been proven in several scientific studies.

So what are those benefits?

Stress Reduction – Countless studies have found that spending time outdoors reduces stress. This may in part be due to the fact that it removes us from stressful environments. Taking a walk after a stressful day at work or going on a hiking trip as a weekend retreat helps us think more clearly and look at problems from a distance. Nature’s beauty can also provide a welcome distraction to staring at a computer screen or driving a car all day. Even when we are in stressful situations, a view of nature can be calming. Studies have found that a natural view out a window can improve work performance, speed up patient recovery in hospitals, and improve one’s sense of satisfaction. (more…)

Filed under: biking, Colorado, hiking, recreation, Summit County news | Tagged: health, hiking, nature, outdoors, Physical exercise, recreation, Self-help, Stress management, wildflowers | 1 Comment »