Why it feels good to spend time outdoors

Have you ever felt super stressed or anxious and had the impression that there was nothing you could do to feel better? 

The truth is, we don’t always like the idea of leaving school at lunchtime to go for a walk or getting out for a stroll on the weekend. Yet, if you want to feel better, even much better right away, it can be just the solution! 

For mental health

Basically, practising an activity that you enjoy relieves stress, you may have noticed.  That’s normal, because when you get active, you produce chemical substances (hormones) that help lower stress and anxiety. Thank you endorphins! (Check out this video to learn how it works.

Outdoors is even better!

Experts say that spending two hours a week outdoors can help you feel better and give you more energy. But looking at it as an insurmountable task won’t get you anywhere. A few minutes at a time is better than nothing at all. Only have five minutes? That counts too, so go for it! 

“Ok, all this is cool, but what if I don’t live next to Mont-Tremblant?” 

Ha-ha, good question! You don’t have to live next to a mountain or a forest to enjoy the great outdoors. If you feel good in an outdoor location, then you are reaping the benefits. Your balcony or yard, your local park or alleyway—they can all be outdoor recreation spaces!

Tips for spending more time being active outdoors  

• If there is a local park in your neighbourhood, stop there for a few minutes on your way home from school. Still enjoy the swing sets, or do they make you feel ill? Check! If there’s a skatepark nearby, why not pluck up your courage and give skateboarding a try, especially if your friends are trying it, too?

• Get off the bus one or two stops in advance and walk the rest of the way.

• Have lunch outdoors. Ever organize a picnic among friends? It’s worth trying, even in winter! With a Thermos full of hot chocolate, you can’t go wrong!

• If you’re lucky enough to have a yard or even a balcony, try performing some yoga postures outdoors. Maybe you’ll feel so good that you’ll want to make it part of your morning or evening routine!