<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The summer brings many opportunities for adventuring.&nbsp; Children, adolescents and adults are all more likely to spend time outside, leading to notable increases in fitness levels, and more.&nbsp; However, many of the actual benefits of something fun and family-oriented like, say, a picnic day, often go unnoticed.&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>What benefits wait in outdoor time?</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; The benefits of time spent outdoors are marked in children, adolescents, adults, and senior citizens.&nbsp; This makes it one of the most effective and widespread choices for those at all parts of their life.</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As far as the benefits, there are the obvious physical ones that help promote better health and higher Vitamin D levels.&nbsp; In children and teens especially, there is also a strong connection between proper emphasis on outdoor time and notably lowered screen time.&nbsp; Since screen time is often seen as a danger for this age group, many will enjoy less negative effects and the addition of positive effects from the outdoor time.</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Generally, there is a strong connection, too, with outdoor time and positive effects in treatment of depression.&nbsp; Since depression can have significant psychological effects, using structured and properly scheduled outdoor time as a treatment can help ease those for patients of all ages.</p> <p><strong>How do picnic days help bring them out?</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; What, then, is the connection between outdoors and the picnics?&nbsp; What makes a picnic in and of itself so supportive when it comes to mental health?&nbsp; Here are the details.&nbsp; Many of them are both surprising yet also believable.</p> <ul> <li><strong>Quality time spent with loved ones:</strong> Picnics bring people together around a makeshift &ldquo;hearth&rdquo; which often is not prioritized in our modern lifestyles.&nbsp; Picnics are mentally-present moments where we are all together!</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>Helps promote communication on tough topics:</strong> Sometimes it can be easier to talk about harder topics over a plate of watermelon and sandwiches.&nbsp; It can be potentially &ldquo;hot&rdquo; topics that cause arguments, or even sensitive topics like grief, anxiety, and so-on.&nbsp; It serves as a buffer.</li> </ul> <ul> <li><strong>Works as a mood and taste booster:</strong> Eating outside can actually boost your mood.&nbsp; Perhaps it makes your day&rsquo;s worries seem smaller, or it just lifts them off of your mind for a few hours with some great food and companionship.&nbsp; Many people also find it easier to eat healthier on a picnic since there is something about eating outside that just tastes better!</li> </ul> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Whether it is once a week as part of a schedule, or just enjoyed when life is about to get too much for you and you need a break, a picnic could be as beneficial as spending the day in bed -- or more-so.</p> <p><strong>Picnic days bring real benefits</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As explained, there are true notable benefits to regular time spent outside.&nbsp; When combining outdoor time with something like a picnic, those benefits are even stronger and easier to see in those of all ages.&nbsp; While these kinds of things may have fallen to the wayside due to the faster pace of life and the focus on inside activities, there are enough benefits that many families may want to consider making time for a picnic or two!</p> <p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; As quintessential as that gingham blanket and basket may seem, there are real, modern-day benefits to be enjoyed by pulling it out of the closet every once in a while.</p> <p><strong>Sources</strong></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2018.00119/full">https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2018.00119/full</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014019711600049X">https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014019711600049X</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14729679.2018.1507830">https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14729679.2018.1507830</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.healthfitnessrevolution.com/top-10-health-benefits-going-picnic/">https://www.healthfitnessrevolution.com/top-10-health-benefits-going-picnic/</a></li> </ul>