--- description: Mother Nature provides serious benefits to our bodies and minds—even when the temperatures drop title: 5 Reasons to Spend More Time Outside—Even When It’s Cold image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltcf08cbd66784c88a/698778d9cd1bba409e6f487a/woman-exercise-outside-winter.jpg?branch=production&width=3840&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Living](/tag/time-section-living/) ## Living Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # 5 Reasons to Spend More Time Outside—Even When It’s Cold by [Real Simple](/author/real-simple/) ## Real Simple Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jan 8, 2015 7:02 PM CUT  An Athletic woman jogging in the winter. An Athletic woman jogging in the winter.Getty Images by [Real Simple](/author/real-simple/) ## Real Simple Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Jan 8, 2015 7:02 PM CUT [**A Walk Outside Can Boost Creativity and Concentration**](http://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/reasons-to-spend-time-outside/walking-boosts-creativity-and-concentration?xid=time-rs-102314 "undefined") Studies show that a stroll outdoors can actually improve brain function and mental focus. Walking not only results in increased physical activity, it also promotes the free flow of ideas, according to [Stanford University researchers](http://time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/xlm-a0036577.pdf "undefined"). Another study by psychologists from the University of Utah and University of Kansas​ found that backpackers scored 50 percent higher on creativity tests after spending four full days in nature without any electronics. “Burying yourself in front of a computer 24/7 may have costs that can be remediated by taking a hike in nature,” co-author [David Strayer said in a statement](http://unews.utah.edu/news%5Freleases/nature-nurtures-creativity-2/ "undefined"). [Research](http://www.health.harvard.edu/newsletters/Harvard%5FHealth%5FLetter/2010/July/a-prescription-for-better-health-go-alfresco?utm%5Fsource=mental&utm%5Fmedium=pressrelease&utm%5Fcampaign=health0710 "undefined") also suggests that time outside can improve focus. Children with ADHD are likely to score higher on concentration tests after time outdoors. Those children who strolled through a park saw a greater increase in focus than those who walked through a residential neighborhood or urban area. [**Going Outdoors Can Improve Your Mood**](http://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/reasons-to-spend-time-outside/outdoors-improve-mood?xid=time-rs-102314 "undefined") It’s no secret that winter can bring on the blues. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is the cause of reoccurring depression in [10 to 20 percent](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3004726/ "undefined") of women in the U.S. [Symptoms](http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/seasonalaffectivedisorder.html "undefined") of SAD can include anxiety, exhaustion, and overwhelming sadness. [Researchers](http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/issue/jan2013/feature1 "undefined") believe SAD is a result of shorter days in the winter, and the fact that there is less natural light. The cold can also keep even [regular exercisers](http://www.gallup.com/poll/151424/health-habits-continue-steep-winter-decline.aspx "undefined") indoors, reducing their sun exposure. One quick and easy treatment for SAD: more time outside (even when it’s chilly or cloudy), according to the [Mayo Clinic](http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/seasonal-affective-disorder/basics/lifestyle-home-remedies/con-20021047 "undefined"). [**More Outdoor Time Means More Vitamin D**](http://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/reasons-to-spend-time-outside/outdoors-for-vitamin-d?xid=time-rs-102314 "undefined") In addition to easing SAD symptoms, time spent in natural light gives our bodies a chance to soak up vital rays. Vitamin D [helps](http://www.health.harvard.edu/press%5Freleases/spending-time-outdoors-is-good-for-you "undefined") ward off heart attacks, and may even improve conditions including osteoporosis and some types of cancer. Although we can obtain vitamin D from foods like [salmon and cheese](http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/ "undefined"), we get [80 to 90 percent](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/29/vitamin-d-deficiency-signs-symptoms%5Fn%5F5200408.html "undefined") of it from the sun. But don’t forget to smear on some SPF if you’re going to be outside for longer than a few minutes. Just because it’s winter doesn’t mean the sun won’t damage your skin. [**The Outdoors Can Recharge Your Exercise Routine**](http://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/reasons-to-spend-time-outside/outdoors-and-exercise?xid=time-rs-102314 "undefined") Working up the motivation to exercise outside is trickier when it’s windy, snowy, or just plain cold. But being outside gives runners a better workout, burns more calories for cyclists, and makes physical activity more enjoyable overall, according to [The New York _Times_](http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/21/the-benefits-of-exercising-outdoors/?%5Fr=1 "undefined"). That means enduring the elements to jog on a frosty day may actually help us relish our workouts. “The number one best part of going outside during winter is the solitude and space,” says Sarah Knapp, founder of [OutdoorFest](http://www.outdoorfest.org/ "undefined"), a New York-based organization that encourages city dwellers to go outdoors. “The trails are significantly less crowded, a layer of snow quiets the world down, and when the trees lose their leaves, views are more expansive.” [**Nature is Healing**](http://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/reasons-to-spend-time-outside/nature-is-healing?xid=time-rs-102314 "undefined") Natural light may hold healing powers, according to [a study](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15673638 "undefined") from the University of Pittsburgh. Researchers found that spinal surgery patients saw lower levels of both pain and stress after they were exposed to more natural sunlight. In fact, patients exposed to 46 percent more sunshine took 22 percent less pain medication per hour. Another [study](http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18332184 "undefined"), published in 2008 in the _Journal of Aging Health_, suggests that getting outside remains just as important as we age. Seventy-year-olds who spent time outdoors daily reported fewer bouts of pain and had less trouble sleeping. They also seemed to show less of a decline in day-to-day activities. In other words, the outdoors may help us stay healthy later in life. _This_ [_article_](http://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/reasons-to-spend-time-outside?xid=time-rs-102314 "undefined") _originally appeared on_ [_RealSimple.com_](http://www.realsimple.com "undefined")_._ _More from Real Simple:_ * [6 Ways Your Phone is Hurting Your Health and Happiness](http://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/phone-hurting-health?xid=time-rs-010815 "undefined") * [7 Hacks to Help Your Body Cope With Winter](http://www.realsimple.com/health/preventative-health/help-your-body-cope-with-winter%20?xid=time-rs-010815 "undefined") * [5 Ways to Make the Most of a Slow Week at Work](http://www.realsimple.com/work-life/life-strategies/job-career/work-productivity-tips?xid=time-rs-010815 "undefined") ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/3659770/spend-time-outside-benefits/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/3659770/spend-time-outside-benefits/"},"headline":"5 Reasons to Spend More Time Outside—Even When It’s Cold","datePublished":"2015-01-08T19:02:40.000Z","dateModified":"2026-04-13T08:56:33.453Z","description":"Mother Nature provides serious benefits to our bodies and minds—even when the temperatures drop","url":"https://time.com/3659770/spend-time-outside-benefits/","keywords":["Living","fitness","Diet & Fitness","Exercise","winter","health","advice","Wellbeing"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltcf08cbd66784c88a/698778d9cd1bba409e6f487a/woman-exercise-outside-winter.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Real Simple","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/real-simple/"}],"articleSection":"","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltcf08cbd66784c88a/698778d9cd1bba409e6f487a/woman-exercise-outside-winter.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"woman-exercise-outside-winter","caption":"woman-exercise-outside-winter","creditText":"Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/tag/time-section-living/","name":"Living"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/3659770/spend-time-outside-benefits/","name":"5 Reasons to Spend More Time Outside—Even When It’s Cold"}}]}] ```