Time spent in nature — even a simple walk in the park or tending to a garden — can do wonders for your health. Spending time outdoors can not only lower your blood pressure, heart rate and cortisol levels, but it can also help decrease stress and tension.
Read on for a few ideas on how to boost your whole health in the great outdoors.
Expand Your Environment
Perhaps there’s a nearby park or nature preserve that you like to frequent — even just half an hour outdoors can positively affect your health. A walk around a lake or picking fresh fruit from a local farm are both great options as well.
If you’re still unsure of where to find your ideal nature space to enjoy, thanks to EPCOT International Flower & Garden Festival, you can get some inspiration. As the Official Health Care Provider of Walt Disney World® Resort, we are excited to showcase Butterfly Landing presented by AdventHealth, an opportunity to experience nature and discover the health benefits of fresh air and sunshine as you explore the outdoors.
Get a preview of Butterfly Landing here:
Create Your Own Outdoor Oasis
If you’re looking for a way to consistently get outside year-round, why not create a nature space in your own yard? Having a peaceful outdoor spot to call your own is a wonderful way to spend time outside. What better way to begin your morning on a relaxing note or decompress after a long day than a calm, quiet stroll through your garden?
Not only will you, quite literally, get to stop and smell the roses, but planting a garden has some other not-so-secret perks — including fresh air, sunshine and exercise. Gardening can also boost your mood, reduce the risk of chronic illnesses and improve cognitive function.
So, why not plant some seeds and give it a go — your space doesn’t need to be extravagant. Here are a few simple ways to get started:
Herbs
Purchase a flowerpot or a small planter and begin with growing herbs. Fresh herbs grow much quicker than most fruits and vegetables, so beginners will be able to see the fruits of their labor sooner. Plus, there’s nothing like the fresh aroma of home-grown basil or mint!
Flowers
If you’d rather try your hand at a floral garden, try planting perennials, such as hydrangeas, peonies or tulips. They’ll look beautiful once they grow — and they’ll also come back year after year if properly cared for, saving you the work of repeatedly purchasing and planting.
Fruits and Veggies
If you want to test your green thumb with growing produce, spend a little time researching what grows well in your area; different plants thrive in different climates and knowing what grows best in your region will save a lot of potential frustration. For example, if you lived in Minnesota, you wouldn’t have much luck with avocados or citrus fruits. Similarly, places with hotter, more humid temperatures — including Florida— aren’t a good environment for certain other types of produce.
Make your garden space comforting, so you’ll be encouraged to spend more time there. You can even place a bench or chair near your plants and bring a book with you to read outside.
A Whole New Field of Interest
We’re here to help guide you toward whole health in body, mind and spirit. Creating a garden space doesn’t need to be complicated; just begin with however much you feel comfortable trying — and before you know it, you could have your own butterfly oasis!
Learn more about our special collaboration with Walt Disney World® Resort here.
