Scientific Evidence That Being Outdoors Makes You Happy

Exercising is already known to make people happier and so is being outdoors. The scientists wanted to combine the two and study people who exercised outdoors. A group of more than 1200 that were already participants in ten separate studies took part in the research. The group members were different ages, genders, and had various levels of mental health.   They engaged in outdoor activities that included gardening, walking, fishing, horseback riding, and sailing, to name a few. Those in the study then individually rated their mood and self-esteem after an activity.

With as little as five minutes outdoors, both the exercising and the walking participants reported significant improvement in both mood and self-esteem. Those participants with mental disorders seemed to have improved the most.

Although there have been many studies touting the positive effects of spending time outdoors, none were ever geared to pinpoint the exact quantity of time that was needed to produce a positive effect on one's health.  This is the first study that has actually been able to evaluate the amount of time it takes to positively change your attitude when you’re outside!  

If I feel stressed, I can go into the garden and it always has a calming effect on me.  After a few mintues just sitting outside, I'll spot a shrub that needs trimming, or a pot to water.  Soon I've forgotten what was bothering me and my mood has brightened.  I didn't know there was a scientific reason for it, though.

 Think of the things you could accomplish  in five minutes outdoors. The ones that probably come to mind immediately are parking the car way out in the mall lot or walking the dog; there are so many more creative ways to get five or more minutes of outdoor time into your day. 

 On the way out to pick up the morning paper, make a point of going out the back door instead of the front.  As you walk around to the front driveway, stop and pick off a few dead blossoms.  By the time you've retrieved the newspaper, dropped the dead flowers in the trash and headed to the back door, you'll have spent at least five minutes outdoors.

Make a point of taking the morning coffee grounds out and targeting one plant each day for a little caffeine.  The plant will be happy, the earthworms will be happy, and scale won't get a foothold on your plant.  While you're out there, pick up any dead leaves and check for bugs on that plant or pot.  Only takes five minutes.

 When you walk out to roll your trash can back to your yard, occasionally cross the street first and roll your neighbor's up to her garage.  It'll be a nice surprise for her and  guaranteed to make both of you feel good.  As you're walking back across the street, look at your front yard with a critical eye.  Think about what you want to do next in that front flower bed.

Clear the table, leave the dishes to soak in the sink and take a short walk after dinner.  You're likely to run into some neighbors who are doing the same thing. See what's blooming in other yards.  The dishes will still be there, but you'll be refreshed and clean up will be much easier when you return. If you start talking to your neighbors, you will definitely be outside longer than five minutes.

If you're not into walking, just start hand watering some pots out front and let the neighbors come to you.  I can remember when  every house in our neighborhood had a front porch.  After dinner in the summertime, nearly everyone sat on the front porch.  Most neighbors usually gathered on one porch and talked until it was time to put us kids to bed.  

I'm hoping you'll add your own suggestions for five minutes or more of outside activity, including stopping to smell the roses, the lavender or the oregano!