Benefits of Nature and the Outdoors for Older Adults

Many of us live rather housebound lives. Climate-controlled and filled with all the things we need in life, the great indoors can be so comfortable. But there’s good reason to get outside and enjoy some fresh air, too. Being in nature can have an invigorating and beneficial impact on mind, body and spirit, especially for older adults. One study found that being in nature encourages greater activity in later life, supporting a higher quality of life and improved sense of purpose. In fact, there are many benefits of nature. Here are just a few:

Helps with cognitive fatigue. The constant stimulation of an urban environment can lead to cognitive fatigue, while natural environments invite soft fascination, capturing the attention while eliciting feelings of pleasure. Soft fascination demands less executive attention, allowing for the restoration of depleted cognitive resources. Spending just one hour in nature can help with mental fatigue, boosting short-term memory and attention span by 20%.

Supports longevity. In one study, women living near green spaces had a 12% lower rate of all-cause nonaccidental mortality than those living in more urban areas. The improved longevity may be partly due to the fact that people who live near nature typically have higher levels of physical activity and social engagement, lower stress and less exposure to environmental pollutants.

Lowers stress. Research demonstrates that spending between 20 and 30 minutes in an outdoor place that gives a sense of contact with nature reduces levels of cortisol, sometimes called the “stress hormone.”

Supports mental health. Older adults who spend time in nature report increased levels of happiness, better psychological health and reduced levels of anxiety.

Boosts vitamin D. Spending time in the sun is one of the best ways to get vitamin D, which helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, reduces inflammation, helps control infections and can inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Although spending too much time in the sun can increase your risk of skin cancer, just 10 to 15 minutes of midday summer sun can help you get the recommended dose of vitamin D. Keep in mind that if you live north of 37 degrees above the equator, the winter sun won’t be strong enough to supply the necessary vitamin D but there are still many other good reasons to get outside all year long!

Outdoor Activities for Older Adults

You probably already have some favorite outdoor activities, but here are a few more to help you add to your list of ways to enjoy the benefits of nature:

Go for a stroll. A walk outside in your neighborhood is a great way to have pleasant encounters with neighbors, get exercise and enjoy some fresh air. Or you can find walking trails in a local park or nature preserve to increase your contact with the natural world. Start a walking club with friends or neighbors if you’d rather not go on solitary rambles.

Identify local flora and fauna. Armed with a field guide and your curiosity, you can learn to identify the mushrooms that grow in a nearby wood, the birds that visit your backyard feeder or the native plants in your area. You’ll feel more connected to the natural world around you and less prone to plant blindness, the inability to see or notice the plants in your own environment.

Do plein air art. Sitting in nature, or on your back porch, to sketch a flower or paint a garden scene gives you an opportunity to slow down and truly pay attention to the world around you. You don’t have to be a great artist to enjoy this activity. Blind contour drawing where you look attentively at the object you’re drawing, rather than at your paper can yield lively, and sometimes funny, drawings while eliminating the pressure of perfectionism.

Garden. Gardening is considered a moderate-intensity aerobic activity that lowers your risk of disease, strengthens bones and muscles, and improves your ability to perform everyday activities. What’s more, it allows you to reap the benefits of nature, even if your garden takes the form of patio containers full of bright blooms or favorite vegetables.

FellowshipLIFE Understands the Benefits of Nature

Our Senior Living communities in New Jersey offer great opportunities for a variety of experiences in nature. Between our on-campus walking trails and putting greens, we invite you out into the fresh air. Or you can enjoy your own, personal outdoor haven on the porch or balcony of your residence. Contact us to learn more about the amenities and services that support whole-person wellness, or to schedule a visit.