5 reasons a stay at West Stow Pods can improve your health!
While most of us know how enjoyable it can be to spend an afternoon outside, not many people realize the health benefits of taking some time to venture outdoors and into nature. It’s not only exercise-related benefits either, as a number of studies have shown that people who spend time outdoors are largely healthier than those more confined to indoor spaces.
With its rolling farmlands, meadowlands and enchanting forests, Suffolk is the perfect place for a restorative nature getaway. So if you’re itching for a city break, join us at West Stow Pods for a healthful glamping holiday.
Not only will you feel more relaxed, a stay in the Suffolk countryside will have you seeing these health benefits!
- Restored mental health
Perhaps the most significant benefits of getting out into nature concern our mental health. It’s no coincidence that you feel restored after a day in the park or a walk in the woods, as immersing yourself in a green and natural setting can help reduce cortisol levels (a stress-related hormone) and even ease symptoms of depression and anxiety. Especially when combined with exercise, getting outdoors can actually make us happier!
- Improved short-term memory
According to a study conducted by the University of Michigan, walking in nature (as opposed to in a city) can actually help to bolster and improve short-term memory. Whether it’s because nature strolls can be calmer and more mindful than a busy city walk, being outdoors can positively impact your memory functions.
- Heightened immune system
The physical benefits of getting out into nature are numerous, but perhaps one of the more underrated advantages is on the immune system. Because our immune systems require ‘challenges’ to stay strong, spending time indoors can have a negative effect. On the flip side, immersing oneself in a natural environment has shown to increase white blood cell count which in turn improves our resistance to germs.
- Better vision
Research from around the globe has found that being outdoors and in the sun can help to lessen the chance of myopia (also known as nearsightedness) in children. Even just a few hours of exposure to the sun per day can have a protective effect on young eyes and help keep them healthy. Let’s not forget that being in the sun is very different to staring right at it, though!
- Increased creativity & concentration
In today’s climate of ever-present smartphones and screens, the ability to concentrate has become a real problem. Fortunately, spending time outdoors can have a restorative effect on your attention span and has even been shown to improve concentration abilities for children with ADHD. Similarly, studies have demonstrated that being in nature (and away from technology) can improve our creative problem-solving capacity.
All in all, a visit to West Stow Pods will not only be a unique and magical glamping adventure—it could also be good for your health! With the many forests, fields and walking trails near our rural estate, there are infinite ways you can experience the great outdoors at West Stow Pods. Feeling inspired? Plan your stay at http://www.weststowpods.co.uk/accommodation/
