A breath of fresh air – 5 benefits of spending more time outdoors

A breath of fresh air – five benefits of spending more time outdoors 

With the summer holidays being over and most people trying to get back to their normal routines, September can often be a hectic month. While you may not be planning a trip abroad anytime soon, there’s always the opportunity to explore the Scottish countryside and experience a much needed break from city life. 

An outdoor excursion can be an excellent way to take a break, but it also offers many important health benefits! Here are five reasons why you should make the time to experience a bit of fresh air with a trip to the Scottish countryside:

Good for digestive system

People often think of a ‘breath of fresh air’ as a way to simply relax, but did you know that it’s also very important for your digestive health?

The flow of oxygen that comes from regulated breathing can help to boost your metabolism, so taking a leisurely walk that allows for plenty of breathing outdoors is a great way to aid in the digestion of food and burning of fat. 

Being in the countryside has the added benefit of superior air quality when compared to a city, so taking a walk will be a far more pleasant experience when you’re in nature and away from the hustle and bustle.

Recharges energy 

Aside from the obvious benefits of Vitamin D from sunlight, being outside has many other benefits for the brain and the body.

Fresh air helps us to concentrate and boosts our energy levels – again thanks to the increased flow of oxygen. Add this to the energising benefits of physical activity and you realise why taking a trip to the great outdoors can be so invigorating.

Hill walks and bike rides can be great ways to breakaway and enjoy a couple of active hours outdoors, taking in the sights and sounds of the countryside while exercising and getting some of that all-important fresh air. 

Good for immune system 

The air quality in a city is often low due to vehicle fumes and dust, which often exacerbates the symptoms of a cold, allergy or condition such as asthma.

Taking a break to the countryside and being among nature can be a great way to ‘clear the head’ in more ways than one, as not only will you be breathing in less irritants that affect your symptoms, but exposing yourself to clean air and the beneficial chemicals released by plant life is an excellent way to help boost your immune system.

Natural mood lifter 

In a city environment, it can be easy to feel overstimulated and overwhelmed by the busyness, noise and exposure to technology. 

Taking a much needed break to the countryside can be hugely beneficial for your mental health, as being in nature has been proven to lower people’s anxiety and improve their mood. 

Spending quality time outside is a good way to distance yourself physically, emotionally and mentally from the stresses of day-to-day life, leading towards a positive outlook and long-term benefits to your mental wellbeing that will make it easier to return to your daily routine feeling refreshed and uplifted.  

Improves blood pressure 

A further benefit from a trip to countryside is how it can help to lower your blood pressure. 

Lowering your stress levels with a relaxing getaway can lead to a decrease in your blood pressure, and while the same is true for any sort of holiday that helps you unwind, the added benefits of being in the countryside come from being immersed in nature and having plenty of exposure to fresh air, as discussed above.

Being close to a natural environment and getting plenty of clean oxygen can be hugely beneficial ways to lower your blood pressure, thus lowering your risk of dangerous heart conditions.

We hope that this blog has enlightened you as to why taking a nature break can be so important for its many health benefits. If you’re looking for the perfect location for a relaxing, invigorating excursion to the Scottish countryside, then you’ve come to the right place.