Spending time outdoors is a topic we are always keen to promote. We believe that being in green spaces and experiencing nature is the perfect tonic to the stress and pressures of modern life. It is well known that being outdoors improves one’s physical and mental health, but a question waiting for a definitive answer is can help you to live longer.
For centuries people have searched for ways to prolong life. Sadly, the fountain of youth remains undiscovered; however, there are things that one can do that could help to extend one’s years.
Probably the best-known and simplest ways to live longer are to avoid stress, eat healthily (avoiding ultra-processed foods), exercise and spend time outdoors in a natural environment.
As things currently stand, Great Britain and Ireland can still boast of having a wealth of natural and green spaces. Each area is unique and has its own history. In 2019, the Office for National Statistics published that nature provided around £12 billion in revenue through the tourism and outdoor leisure sector.
Natural England also recorded that in January 2022, 61% of adults in England stated they had spent time in natural and green spaces in the past two weeks. Nearly four in ten adults say that green and natural spaces have become important to their well-being over the past few years; this raises questions about how they could improve your life. Could it, in theory, make you live longer?
In this feature, and with a considerable amount of help from the Off-Grid Gas Division at Flogas, we’ll look at how embracing nature and the outdoors could benefit your health.
Happiness & mental health
Mental health has become more openly discussed within the past decade. Whether it’s depression, anxiety, or increased stress, The Survey of Mental Health and Well-being in England found that around 1 in 6 people suffered from some form of mental health issue in the past week.
It has been well documented that poor mental health can lead to poor physical health, which, obviously, could adversely impact your overall lifespan. However, there is an obvious solution, and one of the best ways to improve one’s mental health is by spending time outdoors in green and natural spaces.
It sounds clichéd, but research by the National Garden Scheme found that 85% of respondents felt that visiting a garden space improves their mental state. Similarly, a study done by researchers at Cornell University showed that just 10 minutes of time outdoors could greatly impact happiness, reducing both physical and mental stress.
By reducing the amount of stress placed on your mind, you’re putting less strain on the rest of your body too. This could result in an extended lifespan, giving you more time to explore the vast spaces throughout the country.
Exercise & physical health
Exercising outdoors is a great alternative to heading to the gym. Activities such as hiking or walking can help you lose weight, keep your body active, and allow positive endorphins to flood your brain.
Being out in the sun can also greatly impact our physical health. The National Diet and Nutrition Survey discovered that 1 in 6 adults in the UK have low Vitamin D levels. This is vital for our bodies as it helps strengthen both the bones and muscles in our body. The longer we keep our bodies healthy and mobile, the longer we can sustain ourselves.
Country living
If the occasional trip into nature is good for longer life, deciding to leave city living behind and embrace rural landscapes for your day-to-day is another fantastic option. This isn’t feasible for those who have roots in cities and towns, but there are a lot of positives to making the switch.
Rural environments have less air and noise pollution than the hearts of cities or even most towns. With fewer cars and less footfall, you’re more likely to feel more relaxed with a clearer headspace. In fact, researchers at the University of Michigan found that spending too much time in city centres can negatively impact our cognitive functions.
Moving out of the city also means moving towards a healthier diet and lifestyle. Rural villages have greater access to locally sourced organic food and products. On top of this, having the option to go on scenic walks whenever you please can have a massively positive effect on your health.
You also have a lot more freedom in rural spaces to live by your own means. Whether that’s growing and farming your own food sources or disconnecting from national sources with off-grid gas, this can greatly reduce the stress of everyday city life.
There’s a lot of evidence to suggest that outdoor lifestyles can make a huge contribution to living a longer and happier life. With scientific studies backing up the positive impact of nature and green spaces on mental health, we can glean that reducing mental strain can help your physical health flourish.
Exercising outdoors can also massively improve your life expectancy. For a more radical option, swapping city life for a more rural environment also offers a change that could positively affect your life in the long run.
Read more health guides, news and features here.
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