Spending too much time inside can lead to a whole host of health issues, including mental health problems. Trying to get outside more can be a challenge, but it is one that is well worth the time and effort, especially when you consider the ill effects of spending all of your time inside. Here are a few reasons why being inside all day will make you depressed.
Humans Are Meant to Be Outside
Being indoors as much as people are in the modern world is a brand new phenomenon. For all of human history, people have spent most of their hours outside in the elements. When you fail to do this, you are denying your human imperative, which can cause mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
Getting outside is easier when you have something fun to do. Rather than forcing yourself to do an exercise you hate, try to make it fun by investing in some pickleball paddles or calling a friend to go on a hike with you. These acts make the outdoors much more appealing, especially if you are facing depression.
Prolonged Sitting Is Unhealthy
When you spend a lot of time inside you tend to sit down more than is healthy. Sitting down for long periods of time is not good for your overall health for many reasons. Prolonged sitting shuts down major muscle groups and can make it more difficult to use these muscles when they are needed.
To combat the problems with sitting and being inside all day, try taking regular breaks. Standing up and stretching every fifteen minutes is a great way to mitigate the negative problems associated with sitting down for too long. You can even schedule your breaks and take a quick walk around the block to get back to normal.
Indoor Environments Can Lead to Health Problems
Many indoor environments are not good for your health. On top of being isolated from nature, most buildings are made using artificial materials. Similarly, the air quality of most indoor spaces is less than ideal, a problem that can even lead to issues with your respiratory health if not addressed.
It’s no surprise that many people feel depressed when spending so much of their time indoors. This problem is magnified if you are in an environment that has poor air quality and does not allow you to stretch out and get in touch with your body’s natural posture.
Sun and Fresh Air Lead to Happiness
Sunshine is a popular avatar for joy and happiness. The sun is known to increase human happiness levels when experienced in a moderate, healthy manner. On top of this, getting exposure to nature through fresh air is a great way to reset your mind and orient to your goals.
If you do not have access to a wooded trail or another outdoor area, you may need to plan so you can drive out of the city and spend some time in nature. Conversely, you can also find a local park and use that to reset your mind as you enjoy a walking trail or public pool. Making the effort to take in the sun and fresh air will do wonders for your health and wellbeing.
Depression Feeds on Laziness
Finally, it is important to understand how depression feeds off your laziness. Laziness and depression are interconnected and they form a negative feedback loop. The more you can take action and fight your laziness, the more empowered you will feel.
The good news is that positive momentum is even more addicting than negative momentum. Once you begin to fight your laziness your depression will likely wain, leading to even more motivation.
When you are depressed, it is likely that you feel as though you want to sit around and do nothing all day long. While it is hard to break this pattern, doing so is a necessary part of healing your depression.
