Did you know outside activities also support your brain health and lowers your stress levels?  Nature is an antidote to being sluggish and tired. Getting outside refreshes and restores our mental health, increasing oxygen which is essential for brain health. A Stanford University Study shows that being outdoors quiets the brain, lessens negativity and lowers depression. This is powerful, free stress reduction. How does this relate to blueberries?

I drove to Santa Barbara to pick blueberries.  A peaceful, relaxing activity like picking fresh blueberries while outside in sunlight is a bonus benefit for brain health. The two together are powerful activities for your overall health.  Blueberries are antioxidant rich and anti-inflammatory. The anthocyanin flavonoids in blueberries reduce oxidative stress, lowers inflammation and improves blood flow to the brain. This protects your brain from damage, increases BDNF, which helps to form new brain pathways, increasing memory and cognitive support. This is powerful brain food!

I love picking fresh blueberries from a farm. It is also an outdoors, sunny activity. It can’t be beat for a fun relaxing brain activity. And it’s delicious!  I love the Santa Barbara Blueberry Farm in Gaviota.  I make it a yearly priority to go there every May or June and look forward to a day trip. Not only do I get out of the house, I am getting sunlight, get feelings of expectation and excitement, and I am getting fresh, sweet brain boosting blueberries to take home. They also always have fresh blackberries, another favorite of mine. It’s a wonderful countryside for a picnic as well. 

I also plan a nice walk or hike in nature somewhere along the coast to further reduce stress, improve my brain and overall health. I had never been to Avila Beach and had been wanting to explore and walk the Bob Jones bike trail. That was wonderful and felt so good that I jog/walked it back. The trail is five miles out and back. It is beautiful and shady along the river and golf course, with lots of geese. I also explored the beach in bare feet to ground myself and enjoyed the perfect, sunny day.

These day trips are part of my stress reduction plan. I feel so much stronger and happier outdoors breathing fresh air and exercising. It’s totally invigorating!  

What’s your special outdoor activity? Do you ever wonder why you feel better outside?  Do you have your own stress reduction plan? As a certified functional diagnostic practitioner, I am fully aware of outdoor activity for physical health and stress reduction. If you would like to make your own stress reduction plan and need an accountability health coach for Successfully Aging, email me at loribalue.com. Please feel free to share this BLOG with friends and family.  Be carefree and healthy in nature! Get your sun on ☀️

Age Successfully! Be Vibrant!

Lori Balue, A-CFHC, FDN-P

This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. It is being provided to you to educate you about functional health and nutrition and as a self-help tool for your own use. It is not medical advice. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgement. For my full Disclaimer, please go to my website loribalue.com.