Benefits of Working Outside
May 11th, 2021
If you're like most Americans, you probably spend most of your time indoors. In fact, 86% of Americans spend most of their workdays sitting at their desk. Prolonged sitting can lead to early death and increase the risk of cancer, heart disease, and obesity. If you want to live a healthy lifestyle, you've got to do more than just eat salads and exercise - you've got to counteract the effects of a sedentary environment.
Working outside has many physical and mental benefits. Here are a few tips for working from home:
First, the air is up to ten times cleaner outside than inside. The increased oxygen supply will make you feel more energetic and improve your focus, productivity, and creativity. Spending as much as 20 minutes in the open air provides you with the same amount of energy as a cup of coffee.
Second, being outside provides stress relief. Think of how relaxing it feels to be in the woods or at a park. Imagine feeling that same level of relaxation throughout your workday. It feels great, doesn't it?
Research shows that being outside can reduce cortisol levels by 12% and increase relaxation by 55%. Reducing stress is an integral part of increasing productivity as your mind will be clearer and able to focus on the task.
Third, exposure to sunlight has many benefits. The first is that sunlight produces a serotonin chemical that increases your mood, happiness, and concentration. This, in turn, reduces stress and depression.
Furthermore, sunlight helps you sleep better. Your body's circadian rhythm tells you when it's time to wake up and fall asleep. Exposing yourself to sunlight in the morning helps your body wake up and get energized. That's because your brain produces a chemical called melatonin which helps regulate your sleep cycle.
Listening to your body's circadian rhythm ultimately improves your sleep. Those who get enough natural light exposure get an extra 46 minutes of sleep each night. Good sleep is essential for a healthy lifestyle.
Plus, sunlight gives your body vitamin D, which protects it from conditions like dementia and arthritis.
Finally, one of our best tips for working from home is that you must take walking breaks outside. Science shows that even a bit of exercise can increase creativity and concentration by 60%. One study found that walking among trees can increase short-term memory by 20%.
Exercise has many long-term benefits and is essential for any healthy lifestyle. It reduces your risk of nearly every significant disease or condition, including Alzheimer's, arthritis, obesity, and high blood pressure. It supports your bones, muscles, and joints and can help you live a longer life.
Even performing a desk workout has its benefits. We recommend our Smart Under-the-Desk Bike to get your legs moving while sitting.
Don't hesitate to take your next office session outside. You'll soon find yourself happier, healthier, and more productive.