5 Excellent Reasons to Get Outside (If You Care About Your Health)

Nikole Stewart |

Updated: May 21, 2025

Reasons to Get Outside Main Unsplash — Unsplash GettyCredit: Getty Images via Unsplash

Getting outside is good for your mood, particularly when the weather is nice, but did you know that being outdoors is good for the rest of your body as well? Here are five reasons to get outside as soon as possible and take full advantage of everything that nature has to offer you.

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1. Soak Up Some Vitamin D

Adequate vitamin D promotes healthy bone growth, and vitamin D deficiencies have been linked to all manner of problems, including several types of cancer, heart disease, depression, and weight gain.

Vitamin D is tough to get purely from food sources, so the healing power of the sun is essential, which makes it one of the best reasons to get outside. You get enough vitamin D from the sun’s rays in half the time it takes for your skin to turn pink and begin to burn; for fair-skinned people, this could mean you only need to get outside for as little as 15 minutes to reap the benefits.

2. Bear Your Feet to Help Your Gut

Grass and Soil Outside Unsplash — Unsplash

Bare feet and a healthy gut have something in common: when you walk outside, you can absorb much-needed probiotics, also known in some circles as soil-based organisms.

While the jury’s still out on whether we should be ingesting these organisms or not, some experts claim that merely coming into contact with these organisms is enough.

“The grass and soil are packed with probiotics, many of which you can’t get in foods,” says Christina Major, Holistic Nutritionist and Naturopathic Doctor. “When we walk in the grass, garden, or simply touch natural plants, we pick up these probiotics. They stay with us and improve our lives.”

A barefoot walk through the garden is an easy way to incorporate these organisms into your system.

3. Grab a Friend, Get Outside, and Get Happy

Several studies have shown the benefits of the outdoors on mental and emotional health. Studies show how group nature walks were linked to considerably lower rates of depression and increased mental health and well-being¹. The effects of the walks were increased for people who had recently experienced a particularly stressful event, such as a serious illness or the death of a loved one.

Other studies focused on cognitive benefits, including lower stress and better focus. Modest stimuli of nature allow restorative therapy to take place, making us more relaxed and attentive to other tasks at hand.

4. Nature Has Healing Benefits

Studies show that sunlight has immense healing benefits. A 2023 study looked into the relationship between sunlight and chronic pain². Specifically, chronic back pain. The study found that increasing exposure to sunlight can be a cost-effective, consistent, and acceptable method in preventing chronic back pain and increasing quality of life.

Sunlight has proven to offer immense benefits to health. Studies have also proven that it reduces the risk of dementia, as well as reduces postoperative pain and increases recovery.

5. Boost Your Metabolism and Lose Weight

Hike Boost Metabolism Unsplash — Unsplash

Some studies have shown that exercise done out of doors has a greater effect on weight loss and metabolism than exercise done in a gym³. Studies explore how the outdoors can have a positive effect on an exercise regimen, ranging from a different stride when running to differences in the muscles used based on changing terrain, all amounting to a more well-rounded workout.

And while you’re at it, consider adding hiking to your workout regimen: some studies show that merely being at a higher altitude can boost your metabolism and make it easier to lose weight.

Whatever the reason, and whatever the way you choose to do it, get outside to start to reap these and other benefits of the great outdoors.