Get outside! Americans spend less time than ever outdoors

Editor's note: Second in a series of guest commentaries written by area high school students. "Nearly one in five Americans (18.3 percent) spends less than fifteen minutes a day outdoors," a study by The Medium documents. According to this study and many others, Americans spend less time outdoors than ever. This indoor epidemic negatively affects people's mental and physical health and productivity. It is time for Americans to open their doors, literally and figuratively, and step out into the world. First, spending time outside is great for physical health. The more time a person spends outside, the more likely they are to perform some kind of physical activity, reducing their risk of developing certain chronic health conditions such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease. These conditions are the leading cause of death globally, causing more than 60 percent of deaths. Although physical activity is important, even if one does not spend time outside doing physical activity, there are benefits to be gained. One benefit is the absorption of Vitamin D. Unfortunately, the lack of time spent outside has caused a worrying trend. Since 2008, there has been a 490-percent increase in Vitamin D deficiencies worldwide. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption in the human body, and a deficiency can cause bone issues such as rickets and loss of bone density. Research done by UCLA suggests only eight to 10 minutes spent outside in the sun at noon fuels the body with sufficient Vitamin D for the whole day. In addition to the visible benefits, spending time outside can produce numerous invisible changes. This activity greatly impacts mental health. Studies show that time outside or in the sun can lessen the effects of anxiety and depression, or even prevent their development in the first place, if children spend time outdoors. The body needs light to keep its internal clock working correctly, and getting outside or looking through a window in the morning provides that light. Though it's important to spend time outside, it's also important to stay safe while doing so. Getting sun exposure can help prevent cancer and other illnesses, but too much exposure can cause the same illnesses. Alberta Health Center explains when the UV index is over 5, sun protection measures should be taken. These could include wearing sunscreen, sunglasses or protective clothing. Fortunately, Vitamin D is still absorbed even when wearing sunscreen, and all the other mental and physical health benefits can still be reaped while wearing sun protection. Getting outside has almost no downsides, as long as one does it responsibly, safely and with the correct protection. However, many people find it difficult to change their daily routines to allow for outdoor time. Americans are busier than ever, and it can be hard to find even a moment to spend outside. The UC Davis Health Center lists easy and fun ideas for getting outside. Standing for five minutes with one's skin exposed to the sun is enough to gather essential Vitamin D, and going for a brief 25-minute walk can get the body moving and increase focus for hours after. Many Americans take advantage of their lunch break at work to go on a walk, ride a bike or simply sit at a nearby park soaking up the rays. Also, taking a phone call or doing paperwork outside can give the body and brain a break, even while completing work. Though it's tough to break a routine, there are no downsides to getting outside once in a while. As outdoor time has decreased, many Americans' quality of life has decreased. All signs point to more outdoor time as the remedy for many modern problems, including fatigue, anxiety, certain chronic diseases and Vitamin D deficiency. Spending time outdoors solves all of those problems and many more. To truly live in the moment and ensure health in the future, Americans should break out of their habits, open their doors, and get outside. Jasper MacDonald is is a student at Del Oro High School.