Its linked with a deterioration in both mental and physical health.” – Shirley Gleeson, cofounder of Forest Therapy Institute. “Sleep disturbance is a major side effect of the COVID-19 crisis. It’s time to enjoy the outdoors for your health! Additionally, sunlight is our body’s favorite source of vitamin D, which boosts our immune system and combats depression. With morning light, your body starts to regulate it’s body clock or circadian rhythm, which promotes restful sleep.

Though limited between 5:00 am and 8:00 am, Monday through Saturday, there are also numerous benefits to exercising in the morning. In Belize, residents can still go outside for exercise. It may not be forest bathing, but a sunset is a positive reminder that tomorrow brings a new day. Not to mention, Belize’s brilliant coral-red sunsets this time of the year make a beautiful transition for a fresh start. And with the days getting longer and the weather getting warmer, its an easy way to infuse some wonder and awe into your home routine. The sun sets and rises every single day, no matter where you are in the world. Even if you don’t have your own outdoor space, you can get your daily dose of nature with sunrise and sunset. Enjoy the Sunrise and Sunsetįor some, outdoor therapy at home can be as simple as walking barefoot through the grass of their backyard. Whether you have your own garden, veranda, or just access to a farmer’s market, you can bring the stress-relieving Belizean outdoor experience home. But even at home, there are still plenty of ways to engage in outdoor therapy – we just need to get creative. Ironically, as we grapple with the coronavirus pandemic and are urged to stay at home, opportunities to spend time in the outdoors is limited. Whether it’s a soothing sea breeze, the prospect of seeing a majestic jaguar in the wild, or appreciation of local produce from a farmer’s market. Being outdoors is proven to improve both mental and physical well-being. As wellness trends go, ‘forest bathing’ and ‘outdoor therapy’ are two of our favorites.

Beyond the horizon 2017 belize