Spring is here, and it’s one of the most beautiful times of the year. Everything is blooming after a cold winter, and with warmer weather, it’s great to enjoy some time outdoors. Winter is a hard season for a lot of people. Spring is such a nice breath of fresh air, and there’s lots of ways to enjoy it.
Spending time outdoors has been known to have incredible benefits for your body and mind. Not only is getting enough Vitamin D important, but being outside reduces stress, which helps lower blood pressure, improves your mood, and can even help improve focus, all of which become increasingly important as we get older. Spending time outside can also help people with seasonal affective disorder – which tends to be more present in the winter months – and also boosts your immune system. We could all use a little more of that right now!
Not only is the great outdoors good for your mind, it’s good for your physical health, as well. When we’re inside for long periods of time, it’s easy to get stuck doing lots of activities that involve sitting or laying down. Being outside gives you a lot more space and ways to move your body. Things like gardening or walking help get your heart rate moving a little more. On warmer days, when it’s too hot to do lots of movement, things like picnics, bird watching, or something creative like painting or photography are wonderful ways to enjoy the outdoors.
When winter winds down, it can be hard to snap out of the mode we get in when it’s cold. But once you get a nice whiff of that fresh spring air, it gets a little bit easier to want to spend more time with nature. Taking care of your body and mind as you get older is so important. Thankfully, Mother Nature has our backs and is always there to give us something beautiful to spend time with. We love springtime at Vibrant Life Senior Living!
