{"id":107166,"date":"2025-07-31T15:15:04","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T05:15:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.russh.com\/?p=107166"},"modified":"2025-07-31T14:24:08","modified_gmt":"2025-07-31T04:24:08","slug":"health-benefits-outdoors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.russh.com\/health-benefits-outdoors\/","title":{"rendered":"5 health reasons to go outdoors on your lunch break"},"content":{"rendered":"

In 2025, it’s easier than ever to spend most of the day indoors without even noticing. With work, entertainment, and socialising all accessible from home, stepping outside can start to feel optional.<\/p>\n

Thankfully, staying indoors is no longer a requirement. But for many of us still working hybrid roles, it’s deceptively simple to move from sleep, to work, to workout<\/a>, to play all in the one place. There are so many chores to fill a lunch break on a work-from-home schedule. So many ways to feel productive without need to move far.<\/p>\n

But there are serious health benefits to be gained from going outdoors – even for a short interval.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Recent research<\/a> suggest that spending even 20 minutes in a park, for example, (even if you don’t exercise) is enough to improve general wellbeing. So there’s no need to put excess pressure on yourself.<\/p>\n

If you’re in need of motivation to get out of an indoors slump (I know I am sometimes) we’ve compiled a some further reasons to get outside on your lunch break, below.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Going outdoors is the easiest way to get vitamin D<\/h3>\n

Even limited sun exposure increases Vitamin D, which is linked to improving mental health and happiness. And fighting disease – like osteoporosis, colds and flus.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

You’ll feel more focused<\/h3>\n

Studies have linked<\/a> time spent outdoors to improved concentration, better short term memory and reduced brain fog. Meaning taking a break = equals better output if you’re working.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

You’ll get incidental exercise<\/h3>\n

The kind you used to get running for the bus or taking multiple coffee runs with your colleagues. Simply by virtue of not being sat in front of your laptop. If your intention is to work out, research suggests that doing it outside can be motivating – and will actually feel\u00a0<\/em>easier than doing it indoors.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Going outside could help you feel inspired<\/h3>\n

We know intuitively that a change of scene can invoke creativity. That also applies to your brain’s ability to creatively problem solve – particularly when the scenery is nature. One study<\/a> found that people immersed in nature for four days increased their performance on a creative problem-solving tests by 50 per cent.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

You’ll have an opportunity to ‘motor’ through stress<\/h3>\n

You won’t need a car. This actually relates to walking. When we move our bodies, our mental processes are given opportunity to do the same. According to psychologist Scott Lyons<\/a>, “It\u2019s an intentional practice excavating energy and moving energy through. That\u2019s psychic, emotional energy that we\u2019re talking about.”<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n

Image: photography by Alexandra Nataf for RUSSH<\/em> Issue 72<\/a>.<\/small><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

There are major health benefits to be gained from going outdoors \u2014 even for a short interval.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":107179,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[36,4540],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-107166","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-wellbeing","category-wellness"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n5 health reasons to go outside on your lunch break<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Concentration, happiness, cold and flu prevention. 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