The Science of Being Outdoors

By Robert Eversole | https://www.trailmeister.com/

I recently had the privilege of presenting a series of talks at the 50th Anniversary shindig for the Back Country Horsemen of Montana. It was a fab time with a beautiful group of people.

In one of the presentations, I used statistics to illustrate why capital “W” Wilderness should be on our bucket list of rides. After all, studies have consistently found we're almost always happier outdoors. After the discussion, I wanted to look deeper into why.

In human evolutionary history, we've been outdoors for 99% of the time. However, we spend 93% of our days in cars or indoors today As of 2008, most of the planet lives in urban areas. There are lots of studies that show what we already know: that this can be harmful.

In one UK study, life satisfaction fell by 0.5% for every extra 10 milligrams of pollution in their area. In a 2000 study, traffic noises of only 50 dB (the same as a quiet office setting) led to a 20% increase in high blood pressure. According to another study, a 10db increase in noise at night resulted in a 14% rise in hypertension.

Other studies have found that schools near an airport have lower scores on reading tests.

What changes when we're outside?

Forest activities have been found to decrease cortisol levels by 12%, heart rate by 6%, and blood pressure by 1.3%. Studies have confirmed that being in nature reduces anxiety and improves mood, and these positive effects last for days after exposure to wild areas.

In one experiment, 120 people viewed films of accidents. Afterward, one group watched nature scenes, and another saw urban settings. The researchers measured vital signs such as heart rates and blood pressure before and after. Those shown the scenes of nature were back to their baseline readings in 5 minutes, whereas those watching urban settings were only partially back after twice that time.

Another experiment studied groups of people in the forest for a few hours each day. Results included immunity-boosting white blood cells that were 40% higher immediately afterward and remained 15% higher a month later compared with those who did not visit a forest.

Other studies have shown creativity increased by up to 50% after wildland activities. The smell of pines has been shown to lower heart rate and blood pressure. Hospital rooms with views of nature led to patients needing less time to recover. One study of 40 million people found that people that live in greener areas have lower death rates.

“Never does nature say one thing and wisdom another.”

(Juvenal, early 2nd century Roman poet)

At this point, I'd like to be done with scientific studies, although it's nice that science has confirmed what horse and mule riders already know: when you're in a rut, get outside. It shouldn't be a surprise that a ride is good for you. Many of the greatest minds have agreed with that statement but said it more elegantly.

Rachel Carson – “Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature – the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”

John Muir – “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity.” https://www.trailmeister.com/

It's hard to argue with facts or emotions that being outside with our animals is anything but good for us. I wish you a great year on the trails!

For more of my musings on trail riding and camping with livestock, visit me at , where you can https://www.trailmeister.com/ also find the world’s largest guide to guide to horse trails and camps. Pick up a copy of my best-selling book “The ABCs of Trail Riding and Horse Camping” on Amazon.

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