Everybody loves the idea of nature, right? From breathtaking Instagram flower photos (#nofilter!), to spiritual leaders’ inspirational nature quotes, to the birds that visit our feeders, we feel like we interact with nature all the time. But we don’t exist in nature anymore. Not really. We have roofs over our heads, bills to pay, jobs to show up for, and devices galore. That’s okay, though – we’re not suggesting that you choose one or the other. Not everyone can go off the grid and fully immerse themselves in nature all the time. In fact, most of us can’t do that. Most of us can’t just pick up and go spend an extended period of time out in the woods without our homes, responsibilities or grocery stores. But most of us also have something that allows us to travel long distances, get some serious nature immersion in, and come back in time for the next work day: our cars. More specifically, our Subarus.
It’s kind of a beautiful thing, when you think about it. Our automobiles are the result of technological innovation. They keep us comfortable with heat and air and music, and like our homes, they put roofs over our heads. But they also allow us to connect with nature in a way that never would have been possible without them. They allow us to choose a location on the map — near a river, in the woods, on the lake, in the mountains — and drive there without having to worry about getting tired or frozen or overheated. Plus, we go for a quick day trip in our Subarus that would have taken two weeks on foot. That’s pretty incredible. So whether we’re spending our weekends outside or we’re planning special vacation time for it, there’s no reason for us not to be spending at least some time in nature. And there are a lot of reasons why we should be doing it.
-
It makes us happy. According to scientists, spending time outside is extremely beneficial for our mental well-being. It naturally boosts serotonin levels in the brain, which is the neurotransmitter responsible for making us feel good. People who spend more time outside also have lower levels of cortisol, which is linked to stress.
-
It gives us more energy. Both mentally and physically. If you’re suffering from mental fatigue, a little time out in the fresh air can do wonders for your energy level. You’ll experience higher levels of vitality and fewer feelings of exhaustion overall. After all, nature is fuel for the soul.
-
It’s better for our eyes. We all know by now that hours and hours of screen time isn’t exactly good for our vision. But did you know that more outdoor activity can actually protect children’s eyes and reduce the risk of becoming nearsighted later in life? It’s also helpful for us grown-ups, because it gives our eyes some time to rest and recover.
-
It improves concentration, attention and memory. If you’re having a hard time concentrating, the solution might be as simple as stepping outdoors. Being in nature helps to improve memory and attention in adults, regardless of what time of year it is.
-
It boosts your immune system. Nature is medicine. Studies show that activities as simple as walking among the trees and breathing in fresh air will boost our immune systems by increasing the activity of natural killer cells. The crazy part is that the effects of increased immune function were still there 30 days after the walk, so just a weekend camping trip can actually do wonders for your health.
-
It helps us sleep. The quality of sleep that we get depends on a lot of different factors. Two of the biggest ones are hormones (like melatonin) and our natural circadian rhythms. Both of those things are affected by exposure to natural light. Spending too much time indoors means you’re isolating yourself from the very source of your body’s natural rhythms. If you’re tossing and turning, try sleeping under the stars.
-
It gives us a good dose of Vitamin D. As long as we’re on the topic, we should mention the importance of Vitamin D in general. According to scientists, we’re not getting enough sunlight and the foods we eat don’t contain as much vitamin D as we need. Vitamin D deficiency has been tied to increased risk of cancer, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, cardiovascular disease, hip fractures and pregnancy complications. Nature is medicine, remember?
-
It reduces inflammation. Studies show that spending time in nature can significantly reduce inflammation. In one study, elderly patients were sent into the forest for a week. After their commune with nature, they showed reduced signs of inflammation along with some other health benefits. That means these aren’t just changes that happen over long periods of time — you start to see the effects right away.
-
It makes us more creative. We touched on how nature can improve attention and memory. In a similar way, it boosts creativity and gives us sharper thinking. One study found that people immersed in nature for four days ended up boosting their performance on a creative problem-solving test by 50%. Whoa.
-
It helps us live longer. Plain an simple. We know that having access to nature is associated with living longer, healthier lives. In fact, the percentage of green space in a given living environment has a direct impact on the health of the residents.
So there you have it. Taking some time to just exist in nature, to explore the natural playgrounds, to commune with the plants and creatures of the forest — it’s not only good for our sanity, it’s good for just about everything. This list just reinforces our desire to strengthen our bond with nature. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get our Subies on the road and head for a patch of paradise.
If you’re in need of a Subaru to take you into the wild, come check out our vast selection here at Adventure Subaru in Northwest Arkansas. We can guide you through all the different models and help you find something perfect for your lifestyle, whether you’re a real Bear Grylls type or more of a meditative wanderer. Fill out our contact form here!
