Marie_Claire_Australia_November_2016

220 marieclaire.com.au

PHOTOGRAPHED BY ALESSANDRA FIORINI/THELICENSINGPROJECT.COM/SNAPPER MEDIA. TEXT BY DILVIN YASA; HANNA MARTON

T

he sun’s

shining, the

birds are

singing and

life outside reminds you

of a Julie Andrews movie.

But if you’re like most

Australians trying to

work, study or tackle life

admin, you are probably

spending most of your

day indoors, in front of

a screen (the national

average is about nine

hours). It may seem

counterproductive

to step away from your

desk just when you think

you’re getting somewhere,

but a dose of fresh air

could be exactly what

your mind, body

and soul needs.

Here are five key

benefits the great

outdoors provides

(and don’t forget

your sunscreen).

BOOSTS MENTAL

HEALTH

A study by the University

of Michigan showed

that walking in nature

with a group is linked to

better mental health,

increased positivity and a

much lower risk of depression.

“If you spend 30 minutes in green

spaces each day, you will naturally

reduce your stress levels and enhance

feelings of wellbeing,” says Sydney-

based psychologist Dr Lissa Johnson.

COULD BEAT BREAST CANCER

Even preschoolers know that

sunshine contains vitamin D, essential

for strong bones and the prevention of

osteoporosis. But studies published in

Anticancer Research found that high

levels of vitamin D can lower the risk of

breast cancer – and increase survival

rates for breast cancer patients – by

50 per cent. Providing you’re not

OU T SIDE

Why you should be

The secret to feeling happier, healthier and

more focused than an air-traffic controller

could be the great outdoors

soaking up rays, rotisserie-style,

researchers say stockpiling D could

help healthy women future-proof

against breast cancer.

INSPIRES CREATIVITY

Going for a stroll outside can promote

the free-flow of ideas, according to the

Journal Of Experimental Psychology.

Although beautiful scenery can lead to

light-bulb moments, the real benefit

comes from giving your brain a break.

FORTIFIES IMMUNITY

Sick and tired of being sick?

Researchers at Tokyo’s Nippon Medical

School found that women who spent six

hours in the wilderness over a two-day

period enjoyed a significant increase in

virus- and tumour-fighting white blood

cells, when compared with those who

remained indoors for the same period.

CUTS BLOOD PRESSURE

According to a University of

Queensland study, a 30-minute hit

of nature is enough to reduce blood

pressure – a major risk factor for heart

disease. Pick up a beetroot juice on

your way to the park: the nitrate in

this vegie will relax and dilate your

blood vessels, lowering blood

pressure, reports Hypertension.

INSIDER TIPS

Bring nature in

when you can’t

get outside

PICTURE THIS

Just looking at images of

nature can reduce stress,

reports the International

Journal Of Environmental

Research and Public Health.

CLEAR THE AIR

Breathe as if you’re outdoors

with the Dyson Pure Cool

Link desk purifier, $549. It

removes 99.95 per cent of

allergens and pollutants.

LEAF YOUR DESK

Flourishing office plants

make workers happier and

15 per cent more productive,

report University of

Queensland researchers.

Wellness