Take It Outside
Shape Malaysia|June 2017

Being in nature can slash stress, rev energy, and strengthen your health in ways doctors never imagined. Here’s how to score all the perks that going alfresco has to offer.

Carly Graf
Take It Outside

You know from experience that spending time outdoors makes you feel great. In fact, communing with nature has been proved to lower stress, rally your energy, upgrade your mood, and improve your blood pressure and heart rate. Now researchers are discovering that nature accomplishes all this good work in a surprising way: by making your immune system healthier. When you’re indoors, they explain, you have to tune out a dozen distractions (other people talking, your phone, the TV) to focus on what you’re doing, and that mental discipline requires a huge amount of effort. When you’re around greenery, your mind is free to drift at will. That means your body has more power to invest in important functions like strengthening your immunity, according to a review in Frontiers in Psychology. “Nature flips your system’s switch from fight-or-flight mode to rest-and-digest mode,” says Ming Kuo, Ph.D., director of the Landscape and Human Health Laboratory at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. “When you’re relaxed, the body has an opportunity to recover.” Mentally, you have a chance to let go of the tension that’s been building, boosting your mood and energy.

The effects of nature are so powerful that some doctors, such as Nooshin Razani, M.D., a doctor at UCSF BenioffChildren’s Hospital Oakland, are prescribing time outdoors for patients. “We’re developing protocols that blend nature interventions with medical practice,” she says.

Denne historien er fra June 2017-utgaven av Shape Malaysia.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra June 2017-utgaven av Shape Malaysia.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA SHAPE MALAYSIASe alt
Break It Down: Breast Health
Shape Malaysia

Break It Down: Breast Health

With so many confusing and alarming reports about breast cancer, it’s tough to figure out what your risk really is. We asked top experts to help explain the latest facts behind the headlines—and discovered some very reassuring news.

time-read
3 mins  |
March - April 2019
5 Best Natural Extracts For Your Hair
Shape Malaysia

5 Best Natural Extracts For Your Hair

Lately the ingredient list on your shampoo reads like your smoothie order. And that’s a good thing. Coconut, aloe, and other natural extracts are packed with exactly what your hair needs. Here, we break down what each can do for you.

time-read
3 mins  |
July - August 2019
Skin And Hair Detox
Shape Malaysia

Skin And Hair Detox

It’s the season of fresh starts, and your skin, hair, and makeup routines are primed for change. We have your action plan.

time-read
3 mins  |
July - August 2019
Super Nutrients For Sexual Health
Shape Malaysia

Super Nutrients For Sexual Health

These power ingredients ease PMS, boost sex drive, and keep your system strong.

time-read
1 min  |
July - August 2019
Yes, Diet Affects Your Sexual Health
Shape Malaysia

Yes, Diet Affects Your Sexual Health

Going vegetarian can lead to some surprising changes.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2018
8 Tips To Absorb More Nutrients From Your Food
Shape Malaysia

8 Tips To Absorb More Nutrients From Your Food

All those greens you’re nomming? You might be missing the benefits if you’re making these mistakes.

time-read
4 mins  |
May - June 2019
What You Need Know About Intermittent Fasting
Shape Malaysia

What You Need Know About Intermittent Fasting

You’ve probably heard a lot about this dieting and weight-loss technique, but what is it exactly? Is it safe? And does it mean you can’t eat?

time-read
4 mins  |
May - June 2019
Simple Tips To Wake Up Energised
Shape Malaysia

Simple Tips To Wake Up Energised

Skip the coffee and quit the snooze. Try these simple tweaks to your daily routine and you’ll be all revved up to go in the morning.

time-read
4 mins  |
October 2016
Do We Really Need To Diet?
Shape Malaysia

Do We Really Need To Diet?

Is detoxing a necessary health move or just clever marketing? Carmen Chow goes to the experts for the facts.

time-read
5 mins  |
October 2016
26 Ways To Lose Inches Faster
Shape Malaysia

26 Ways To Lose Inches Faster

Wouldn’t it be nice to have your health taken care of for you? A chef to cook nutritious, gourmet dinners; an assistant to schedule regular massage and doctor’s appointments; a little voice in your head reminding you to skip the chocolate and have the broccoli instead; and a sharp elbow pushing you to get off the comfy couch and head out for a 10 km run? Okay, maybe our health is something we’re better off taking care of ourselves. And lucky for us, there’s more than one way to do it. In fact, we’ve got 26, one for each letter of the alphabet. Try one or try them all, what matters is that you make the move.

time-read
10+ mins  |
October 2016