How Can Visiting An Outdoor Park Boost Your Family’s Physical and Mental Health?
If nothing is quite as cute and lovable in your eyes as seeing monkeys roaming free in natural woodland and you have already planned your visit to Monkey Forest, take note. Not only will you have an entertaining day watching the monkeys being fed, listening to a feeding talk and taking Instagram pics with your new furry friends, but you will also be doing your physical and mental health a world of good. Did you know that the average person in the UK spends 90% of their day indoors? The sedentary lifestyle, which involves no less than spending large chunks of your day sitting indoors, has contributed to many pressing health problems – including obesity, stress, and diabetes. Did you know that one simple antidote is spending time outside in forests, parks, or even in your own backyard?
The Stress-Busting Powers of Nature
When you visit Monkey Forest and you view monkeys at play amidst vertiginous trees or lying on the cool, green grass, you may notice that you feel more relaxed than you have been in a while. There is a scientific reason for this; as noted in a study undertaken at the University of Michigan Health System, all you need to remedy stress is ‘a breath of fresh air’. Simply walking outside and spending time with people – as you would during a family visit to the Forest, lowers stress hormone levels. Another study carried out at the University of Sussex found that simply listening to the sounds of nature helps people control their ‘fight or flight’ response. At Monkey Forest there will certainly be loads of sounds to take in – from the rustling of the trees right through to the chattering sounds of monkeys at play!
The Physical Benefits of Time Outdoors
Being outside also helps you battle obesity and boosts your heart health. One 2018 study by researchers at the University of East Anglia found that spending time outside reduces the risk of many physical diseases and conditions, including cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and Type 2 diabetes. It also has a long-term effect on human wellbeing, though the reasons are not fully understood. Monkey Forest has many opportunities for walking, and of course, the monkeys have quite a quick pace so the lighter on your feet you are, the more you can keep up with them!
Taking the Goodness Back Home with You
If you find that after your visit to Monkey Forest, you are uplifted and content, how can you introduce these good feelings into your everyday life? The answer lies in opting to be outside as much as you can. When taking a break, go for a walk to the park or sit in your garden instead of surfing online. If you have a large green space or garden, you might want to build an outdoor office so you can enjoy a beautiful natural view while working. As noted by Riverwoodcabins.com, there are many ways that you can embrace outside spaces more. You can build an entire log cabin, or even make your porch or outdoor terrace more comfortable. Think shade solutions, beautiful flooring, and natural materials such as wood if you want to feel closer to the life that teems in the forests.
Revisiting the Monkeys
For many people, one of the most restorative and stress-relieving things about nature is animal life. When you are at Monkey Forest, make sure to take lots of pictures both of the monkeys and of the surrounds. You can then print these out and display them at home. Additionally, if you work or spend most of your leisure time indoors, fill your space with plants. Your mental state will benefit from it, with research showing that simply viewing green images (and working in a space with plants) can boost your performance and help reduce stress levels.
Nature has a vital place in human life, yet too many people take it for granted. As stress continues to skyrocket for children and alike in the UK, the natural way of battling it – the Great Outdoors – should be valued more. From visiting Monkey Forest to spending lunchtime at a park instead of at the office room, you can benefit your physical and mental health in many more ways than you may realise.
Author: Jennifer Dawson