Outside Challenge

Outdoor adventurers will notice mood boosts, cognitive benefits, and overall emotional well-being.

Enjoying time outside has been shown to improve well-being and is a simple way to kick start a happy mood. Glasgow University conducted a study finding that regular exercise outdoors could cut the risk of suffering from poor mental health by half. Outdoor activity will also positively affect biomarkers that monitor stress, mood, and energy levels.

Did you know that 30 minutes a day of sunshine will help you sleep better? Exposure to natural sunlight increases sleep quality by setting the body's circadian rhythm—the biological clock—and stabilizing hormone function throughout the day. Getting a 30-minute dose of natural sunlight during midday is enough to trigger the group of suprachiasmatic nuclei cells in the brain that regulate and maintain a healthy circadian rhythm.

Try checking off a few of these simple outdoor activities this month!