How The Outdoors Affect Our Sleep

May 24, 2023

An average adult should get anywhere from 7-9 hours of sleep per day. Getting enough sleep is essential for a healthy lifestyle and mind. It is when we are asleep that our body gets the chance to rest and rejuvenate for the following day. Did you know that our daily activities or lack of them can affect our quality of sleep? This article will look at how outdoor activities can affect our sleep.

Sunlight exposure

Exposure to sunlight helps regulate melatonin production - which means it keeps us on track with our circadian rhythm (the internal clock that tells us when we should be awake). If we don't get enough sunlight during the day, our bodies may produce more melatonin than necessary at night -- leading us down an endless cycle of sleeplessness!

Let's start with the basics: sunlight exposure helps regulate your circadian rhythm. The body produces melatonin at night, which helps you fall asleep and stay asleep. Sunlight exposure helps increase the production of melatonin during the day, so you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

What does this mean for you? If you're having trouble sleeping at night because of your schedule or other factors (for example, if it's difficult to get good quality light indoors), try getting some midday sun on your face!

Spending time outdoors

Melatonin is a hormone that helps regulate your sleep cycle. It's produced in response to sunlight, which means that exposure to natural light in the morning can help improve your sleep quality and duration, while exposure at night can cause problems with falling asleep. Spending time outdoors boosts melatonin production as well as serotonin levels--another chemical that affects mood and energy levels--and therefore makes you feel happier when you're outside.

Exercising

Exercising outside helps clear your mind, which will help you get a better night's rest. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins (feel-good hormones). These endorphins can act as natural painkillers and reduce stress levels by relaxing tense muscles.

Exercise also provides an opportunity to de-stress from the day's events and prepare for sleep by clearing away any lingering thoughts or worries that might keep you awake later in the evening.

A lot of research shows that spending time outdoors helps improve your mood and may even reduce depression symptoms.

Getting Outdoors

One study found that people who went on a nature walk for 30 minutes experienced decreased blood pressure and improved moods compared to those who walked in an urban setting. Another study showed that people who participated in outdoor activities had lower levels of cortisol (the stress hormone) than those who didn't participate in any activities at all.

Why does this happen? Being surrounded by nature can help you relax because it promotes mindfulness, which is the practice of being fully aware of your thoughts, feelings, surroundings and reactions without judgment or criticism.

The outdoors is a great way to improve your sleep. Being in nature has been shown to help people fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer, thanks to the effects of sunlight exposure on circadian rhythm. Exercise also helps clear your mind, which will help you get a better night's rest.

There is no doubt that being in nature can benefit your sleep in many ways. From the fresh air and sunlight exposure that helps regulate melatonin production, to exercising outside which clears your mind and improves mood--all these factors play a role in getting better rest at night. If you're looking for ways to improve your sleep quality without using medication or supplements, then try spending some time outside!