Have a break, have a Kit Kat. Yum, sounds good to me. This iconic slogan was created in 1957 by Donald Gilles, the executive at JWT London. I bet he never thought that some 69 years later it would still be popular!
And while a Kit Kat may enhance your break from reality, it doesn’t really do much good in the long run. In fact, too many may have the opposite effect, but I won’t get into that! Guilty pleasures and all, right?
A much better, albeit not as tasty, option is to go outside. Get some fresh air. Bask in the gifts of Mother Nature! Deep down inside we have known this forever. But only in recent years has research come out linking overall well-being with nature breaks.
So, what’s the hype about being outside? Why is it important to commune with nature? Well, being in nature can improve your overall mood. You will feel less stressed, less anxious, and possibly less depressed. That fresh air and natural environment can sharpen your attention, curb impulse control, and increase your creative flow. All these mental health benefits will in turn have a positive impact on the physical being. Being outside for just a brief while is like a shot of caffeine! Without the jitters or heartburn.
And depending on what you are doing, being outside is great for social connection, and we all know how important that is to healthy aging.
Here in Saskatchewan, we don’t get enough sunshine/vitamin D during the year. It’s important to soak up as much as we can during the summer months and hopefully stretching into the fall. Vitamin D, of course, is needed for strong bones, a healthy immune system, and good overall well-being.
What are some other benefits of being outside? Well apparently, Mother Nature can boost your immune system because you are exposed to a variety of things. I find that interesting, as during COVID we were told that if you’re outside, your risk of exposure is somewhat less.Your chances of getting more exercise are higher because the landscape changes, so you may be walking up hills or around potholes or even around the block to check out what the neighbours are doing to their yards. (Oops, TMI). And of course, regular exposure to natural light can regulate your sleep/wake cycles so you will sleep better.
The jury is out on how much outdoor time you need to reap the rewards. Short times, such as 10 minutes, will provide some benefits. Twenty minutes a day can reduce stress. Two hours a week has been linked to an overall improvement in health and well-being.
It is tough to get enough fresh air when you live in a place that often sees minus 30°C for three or four months of the year. Snow and ice make walking treacherous. The thought of tea in front of an indoor fireplace (or a fake one in front of the TV) is much more enticing. If you don’t want to cross-country ski, snowshoe, or skate, there are other ways to get some fresh air. What about birdwatching, winter photography or snow sculpting? Just add a few layers, wear boots with a very good grip, and head out. Even a jaunt around your backyard is better than nothing. And while it takes awhile to get properly dressed for colder temperatures, the wait is worth it. And think how good that hot chocolate or tea or brandy will be after a brisk walk around the block.
Well, it’s time for a Kit Kat, I mean a Mother Nature break. I wonder if the benefits would be doubled if I enjoyed a Kit Kat while outside? My son recently returned from vacation in Japan, and he brought back a bunch of Kit Kats. They have some amazing flavours! And Japan has one of the highest life expectancies in the world. (The average in 2025 is 85 years compared to 83 in Canada!) Maybe they’re onto something?
Interesting Reads & Things
https://seniorsafetyadvice.com/benefits-of-outdoor-activities-for-the-elderly/
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/adults-outdoor-playtime
https://www.lifeline.ca/en/blog/age-well-spend-more-time-outside/
Wanderings Art 