Science proves it: time outside leads to numerous health benefits, including lower blood pressure, increased heart health, reduced anxiety, better focus, and improved sleep.
But we don’t need science to tell us this. We gravitate to our porches, decks, and yards. We hike, bike, and walk; we sit on the beach with a good book; we head to the lake to relax on the dock or zip around on a boat.
It’s our natural inclination to get outside, and this issue explores the many options for outdoor exploration we are so fortunate to enjoy here in the Upstate.
We take a closer look at Sans Souci Community Garden, where neighbors mix, mingle, and grow together; we learn about fox hunting, a unique outdoor sport with historic roots; we explore a Travelers Rest tea farm offering tours and taste. We even learn about outdoor art (with prolific muralist Matteo Miles) and outdoor cuisine (with homemade marshmallows to build a better s’more).
In the name of research, I had the best kind of work assignment—visiting Nantahala Outdoor Center with my daughter, where we zip lined through the trees and paddled around scenic Lake Fontana. Surrounded by the sights, smells, and sounds of nature, I was reminded once again what we instinctively know, but tend to forget: when the world feels like too much and stresses pile up, the best way to reconnect and recenter is simply to step outside.
5 health benefits of heading outdoors
- Boosts Vitamin D, important for bone and immune system health
- Increases serotonin, which improves mood and reduces stress
- Green space exposure is proven to enhance focus, concentration, and creativity
- Better sleep thanks to natural light exposure
- Being outside promotes more physical activity
Try these spots
- Conestee Nature Preserve
- Unity Park
- The Swamp Rabbit Trail
- Legacy Park
- Falls Park on the Reedy
- Paris Mountain State Park
- Furman University
