The Benefits Of Fresh Air, No Matter The Weather

You may have heard the old saying: "There's no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing." This may elicit a groan, though, if you aren't the biggest fan of winter's snow and sleet. But there is some truth to the statement, particularly when it comes to getting fresh air, even in the harsher outdoor elements. Some of the benefits may seem obvious, like lung health, but there are some less apparent pluses to spending time in the fresh, open air, like a boosted mood and improved digestion (via St. Mary's Health System).

So, while it's easy to fall into the habit of staying indoors when it's raining or gloomy out, you may want to consider the perks of getting outside daily even if it's just for a casual walk, to dig in the garden, or to enjoy your morning cup of coffee in the open air. Here's a closer look at the benefits of fresh air, no matter the weather.

The great outdoors offer many health benefits and providing increased oxygen levels to the brain is one of them. This, in turn, also ups serotonin levels, which is a magical mood boost. It's been shown that just half an hour spent outside in the fresh air can greatly reduce stress levels (via Firelands Health). Time outside can also lead to better sleep quality, which we all know is a key factor for our mental health and well-being.

You may have also heard the outdoors referred to as green and blue spaces, essentially describing forests and meadows or lakes and streams. These green and blue spaces are where we should aim to spend a fair amount of our time, out in the fresh, crisp air. Embracing gardening as a mindfulness exercise is one route to accomplish this. This may be easier said than done if you live in an urban area, but the more often you can get yourself to the green and the blue, the better.

It goes without saying that fresh air is also essential for our physical well-being, but as a reminder, breathing outdoors provides wonders that just can't really be replicated. Fresh air can reduce our risk of airborne illness and infection, according to Physio Falmouth Plus, and boost the functioning of our cells. Exercising outdoors in the sunlight — or even on a cloudy day — can release endorphins and put you on track to make positive health choices throughout the rest of the day. Essentially, heading outdoors truly just helps improves your overall health. 

If you work behind a screen as many of us do, you can still make small efforts to breathe fresh air throughout your workday. Opening the windows or even tapping away on your laptop from the porch in the fresh air can do the trick. "Homes used to be drafty, so people spent a lot of time trying to insulate. But eventually, we began to have problems because of indoor air pollution," Dr. Brian Christman, a pulmonologist and professor of medicine at Vanderbilt University, told Well+Good. "Just airing out the home would prevent those things from staying around."