Why Getting Outside Works: The Science-Backed Way to Reset Your Mind and Body
When things feel heavy, foggy, or just a little off, one of the easiest ways to reset is to step outside.
Even 15 minutes of fresh air and movement can:
Boost your mood
Increase energy
Improve focus and productivity
Lower stress levels
Support better sleep
Help regulate blood sugar
Clear mental fog
This isn’t just feel-good advice. Research consistently shows that time outdoors, especially in green spaces, helps lower cortisol, reduce anxiety, and improve overall well-being.
It’s one of the simplest, most accessible tools we have for feeling better.
Nature + Movement = A Nervous System Reboot
Most of us spend the majority of our day indoors under artificial light and surrounded by screens. This environment keeps our nervous system in a state of low-level stress. Stepping outside helps interrupt that stress loop. The combination of natural light, fresh air, and gentle movement tells your body it’s safe to relax.
This is especially helpful if you feel wired but tired, emotionally flat, or overstimulated by your to-do list.
What Counts as “Outside Time”?
You don’t have to commit to a full workout or head into the wilderness.
What matters is moving your body while breathing fresh air.
Try:
Weeding the garden
Walking the dog
Biking around the neighborhood
Dancing in the driveway
Sweeping the porch
Drinking your morning coffee on the front steps
The goal isn’t perfection. It’s permission to do what’s doable.
When You Can’t Get Outside
Sometimes life makes it hard to get outdoors. On those days, try bringing nature to you.
Let in natural light. Open a window for a few minutes. Light a candle with an uplifting scent or diffuse essential oils that remind you of being outdoors.
Scents like lavender, lemon, or mint can calm the nervous system and elevate your mood. I shared more on this in a recent Redfin article where I was interviewed on natural ways to refresh your space.
Read the full article here: Spring Candle Scents & Natural Fragrance Tips | Redfin (Parent company of ApartmentGuide and Rent.)
A Small Step That Can Shift Everything
If you’ve been feeling off lately, whether mentally, physically, or emotionally, this is your reminder to step outside.
No pressure. No perfect plan. Just a few minutes of connection with your breath, your body, and the world around you.
It might seem small, but it can be the beginning of something bigger.
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