Benefits of the Outdoors for Liver Disease Patients

For patients, as well as caregivers, with hepatitis C and chronic liver disease, depression, anxiety, stress, and general wellness issues can all occur.

My hep C journey

In my long journey through hepatitis C, I found a daily dose of the outdoors benefited me greatly. I enjoyed 15 to 30 minutes or longer per day, depending on the temperature. Even when I did not feel well, getting out of the house for a short drive or sitting on my back patio did wonders to help me feel better.

Sunshine and fresh air are beneficial for every living thing. Look for green spaces that you can enjoy, if possible. Wherever you are outside, take deep breaths, slow down, de-stress, and listen to nature. If you are around trees and water, listen carefully to the wind through the trees, birds singing, and water trickling.

What the research shows

The U.S. National Institute of Health states, “The best-known benefit of sunlight is its ability to boost the body’s vitamin D supply; Most cases of vitamin D deficiency are due to lack of outdoor sun exposure. At least 1000 different genes governing virtually every tissue in the body are now thought to be regulated by 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1,25[OH]D), the active form of the vitamin, including several involved in calcium metabolism and neuromuscular and immune system functioning.”¹

The Pain Management Group reports for those who deal with chronic pain and inflammation, diet and activity can help reduce pain and inflammation, along with benefits of being outdoors can improve overall health and wellness.²

Benefits of the outdoors

Some possible benefits of being outdoors include:³

• Increased vitamin D intake from the sun
• Decreased anxiety, negative thinking, depression, and stress
• Decreased blood pressure
• Improved mood and attitude, as well as mental and physical wellbeing
• Increased activity
• Calm and relaxation

Being outside can also foster encouragement and hope, bring a change of scenery, and help shift thoughts to concentrate on nature.

Ideas for outdoor outings

Here are some of my go-to activities for being outdoors:

• Picnicking in the park
• Enjoying time on the porch or patio
• Planting flowers
• Sitting in your yard
• Walking in your neighborhood or the park
• Taking up an outdoor activity like archery, camping, fishing, hiking, or birding
• Reading, journaling, sketching, praying or meditating outside
• Going for a drive

Be good to yourself. The outdoors are like taking in good vitamins to help you feel better and increase energy. Small changes can make big differences!