If you find yourself low on energy, it's time to step outside. A study from University of Rochester found that spending time outside in green, natural environments can boost your physical and mental energy by nearly 40 percent. On the flip side, staying indoors can leave you feeling drained and tired.
The immune system may be weakened
Loneliness and the psychological stress of being indoors a lot are two feelings that can reach all-time highs when a person is not out of the house for long periods of time. Both can weaken the immune system, making the body more susceptible to bacterial infections.
If you don't get outside enough, you may experience lower levels of vitamin D, which can lead to low bone density. You also may feel down or antsy, or perhaps may not sleep well. You might feel tired, groggy or have low energy. Sunlight and fresh air help us with all of these issues.
Isolation, exhaustion, and lack of motivation or interest in life are common experiences of individuals struggling with stress, depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions. Almost everyone experiences these to some degree. Hearing this doesn't always help or make things feel easier, however.
Spending excessive time in bed may be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as depression. Depression is a mood disorder that has many symptoms, including decreased interest in activities or other people, weight changes, trouble sleeping, and fatigue.
Agoraphobia is a type of anxiety disorder. A person with agoraphobia is afraid to leave environments they know or consider to be safe. In severe cases, a person with agoraphobia considers their home to be the only safe environment.
One day inside probably won't hugely affect your health—but it's not great to constantly stay cooped up from morning until dark. The biggest issue is that entering hibernation mode means you don't get any exposure to natural light.
Local parks and trails provide an ideal opportunity for everyone to get outside each day. As little as 20 minutes a day spent outdoors helps reduce stress. Nearly all (96 percent) U.S. adults spend some time outside every day.
You may feel worried or anxious about your finances or job, your health or those close to you. Perhaps you feel bored, frustrated or lonely. It's important to remember that it's OK to feel this way and that everyone reacts differently. Remember, for most of us, these feelings will pass.
Sitting outside can reduce blood pressure, lower heart rate, and decrease cortisol levels. When we are outside our body slows down, helping us feel peaceful and calm. Our minds work in a similar way. Spending time outside improves mood and reduces feelings of anxiety.
Without ample time under the big blue sky, you might begin to feel down and antsy, says Dr. Edwards, adding that you may have more trouble falling (and staying) asleep at night. Upon waking, "you might feel tired, groggy, or have low energy," she says. "Sunlight and fresh air help us with all of these issues.
This is supported by stress management and mental health organisations too; “More oxygen will clear your mind, rejuvenate your skin and energise your whole body. On the other hand, lack of oxygen will lead to mental sluggishness, lack of focus, depression and anxiety.” – Stress Management Society.
Answer. A person who enjoys spending time at home is called a homebody. A homebody can still have a good time going out with friends, and enjoy other aspects of a normal social life, but prefers to be home.
When you get outside your house, it's not only Mother Nature you see. You also connect more with the people and places in your community. Human contact and a sense of community are important to your mental health.
Studies also show that being outside in nature is relaxing, reducing our stress, cortisol levels, muscle tension and heart rates – all of which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
Rachel Hopman's, a neuroscientist at Northeastern University, new 20-5-3 rule for spending time outside. Generally, it is 20 minutes outside for three days a week. 5 hours each month you should spend in nature. 3 days you should spend off the grid each year.
The amount of outdoor time that leads to the most benefits, they write, is 120 minutes a week. It doesn't matter if those two hours are spent outdoors all at once or broken up into several shorter visits throughout the week.
Studies show that levels of anxiety, stress, and others are reduced by being outdoors. When you are outside, the fresh air can help raise oxygen levels in your brain, which increases serotonin levels. Serotonin is the neurotransmitter that alters your mood. Getting some fresh air is a simple way to improve your mood!
Without a reliable sunlight trigger, your body will just keep making melatonin, and it might start to feel tired all the time. Sunlight is also a trigger for your body to produce serotonin, aka the happy hormone. It helps to regulate your mood, among other things.
Cabin fever isn't an urban legend; it exists and can definitely rear its ugly head when you spend too much time indoors. “It's not a mental illness or disorder, but more of a psychological condition that arises from the feelings of being alone and stuck in a confined space,” says Dr. P.
If you don't feel like you can leave the house, you might assume you're just depressed. While not wanting to leave the house can be a symptom of depression, it's more likely you have another condition called agoraphobia, a fear of open spaces. Although agoraphobia isn't common, it's associated with anxiety.
Why Bedrooms Are Introvert Havens. Most introverts find an abundance of noise and commotion to be both overwhelming and overstimulating, due to the way our brains and nervous systems are wired. Since introverts are drained by social situations, we need plenty of time alone to rest and recharge.
Yes it is absolutely normal. There are many people who like to stay alone and be at home rather than go out.