Have you been “sheltering-in-place” indoors? Are you withdrawing from loved ones? Do you feel too low to face the outside world?

You’re not alone. But it may feel like it. Depression loves to have you all to itself.

The effort of trying to manage your symptoms can keep you hunkered down and under the covers. Unfortunately, you may also be keeping yourself far away from the mood-boosting power of nature and sunlight too. Did you know that 2 hours a week or 20-30 minutes a day can do wonders for your mental health?  Current research shows that your ability to think, cope, and relate to others is greatly enhanced by time doing some light activity outside.

Consider the following ways fresh air and open space can refresh your perspective and open your mind:

5 Ways Going Outside Helps Manage Your Depression

1. An Energy Surge

Unmotivated and sluggish?

Your body is made for more than a life indoors. A recent study indicates you can forgo your morning cup of coffee for  20 minutes in the fresh air and receive the same energy boost. Does your focus dip in the middle of the day? A dose of nature can resolve the brain fog that you may feel after hours of interior lighting and conditioned air. 

2. A Happier Outlook

Despairing and self-critical?

Outside activity also boosts your serotonin levels. This is the biological chemical that contributes to wellbeing and happiness. Getting outside can support your efforts to ruminate less and obtain a more self-compassionate attitude.

3.  Relief and Perspective 

Overwhelmed and hopeless?

Trying times can cause stress and upset that lead to problematic anxiety or low mood. To combat these feelings before they become too entrenched, consider long nature walks or even lounging in a fragrant garden.

The sights and scents of the outdoors can act as a sort of calming aromatherapy as well as mood-boosting stimulation. Time spent noticing a natural world that works harmoniously and interdependently helps put life in perspective.

4. Creativity and Inspiration 

Purposeless and indifferent?

When people feel confined and restricted, mental blocks and brain fog are not uncommon. Whether you’re an expressive type or just trying to think outside the box, time outdoors can help stimulate creativity when you feel like you’ve hit a mental block.

The natural world is often a source of inspiration. The sensory stimulation not only soothes tension but helps broaden thinking and awaken your imagination. 

5. Rest and A Refreshing Reset

Dragging, drained, and unfocused?

The truth of depression is that it is exhausting. Many people suffer insomnia, disrupted sleep, or sleep for many more hours than is helpful or productive.

Getting more time outside helps re-establish your body’s natural circadian rhythms. The desire to sleep at night and feel more refreshed and active during the day can reemerge as your routine again. Soon, you may find you feel less stressed and more in control of your moods.

Take the Next Step…Literally.

Why not start every day with a brief walk. Or end the day with a few moments outside looking up at the stars or the city lights? Breathe. Give yourself a bit of mental space. Depression won’t go away just because you take a walk. But you can learn to manage it with techniques like these. then, reach out to a therapist to help you take even more steps toward a happier life. Please read more about depression treatment and reach out soon.