4 Ways Spending Time Outside Can Make You Healthier

Spending time outside is magic. It's free, it's almost always available and it's endlessly beneficial to our bodies, minds and souls. Here are four reasons to step outside...

• Improve your physical health. Time outside lowers blood pressure and reduces the stress-related hormones cortisol and adrenaline
• Improve your mental health. Time outside reduces anxiety, depression, stress and anger. It can also increase focus and attention.
• Improve your healing. Studies show that patients who spent time outdoors during recovery require fewer painkillers, have fewer complications and experience shorter hospital stays
• Improve your sleep. Your body's internal clock follows the sun. Exposing yourself to sunlight can make you feel more tired at night, shorten the time it takes to fall asleep and improve your quality of sleep.

Convinced? Throw on some sunscreen, grab a book and head outside for 20 minutes.