Mental Health Improved For Utahns Who Do More of This

Health Benefits of Visiting a National Park 

The CDC has documented the benefits of getting outside and being active and the results can be huge for our physical, and surprisingly, our mental health. In these studies, they have found improved health in unexpected areas of people’s lives. 

There is of course all the benefits from walking around that come with physical activity. It will lower your blood pressure and make your heart stronger. They have found exercising outdoors is better than indoors because we are more likely to do it regularly. But there is more. 

Mental Health and Nature 

They found 20 minutes spent in nature helps you concentrate. Children who were treated for ADHD needed less medication and children overall improved in school. Visiting a national park increased cognitive function in those studied. 

Just listening to bird sounds has been shown to reduce stress. Observing animals in their natural habitat lifts people’s mood and makes them feel better about the world and their place in it.  

The smell of trees, wood, and grasses has been shown to have a calming effect and help you feel less fatigued. They found people were more social and communities near parks and nature were stronger. All these benefits come just by visiting the great outdoors.  

Read More: Exciting News About Zion National Park’s East Entrance

So, here’s my plan. I’m going to take some of the money I’m spending on doctors, gym memberships, therapy sessions, and I’m going to buy a park pass. We are saturated with amazing natural wonders to explore in Southern Utah, and it is time I did more of it.