June is Recreation Month!
While the Military Communications and Electronics Museum (MC&EM) remains closed during the current COVID environment, museums are all about mental health and well-being. Studies have shown that visits to museums have the following effects:
- Help for depression and anxiety
- Positive social experiences, including reduced social isolation,
- Calming experiences, leading to decreased anxiety
- Decreased stress
- Visiting museums is positively associated with higher levels of happiness
- Visiting museums and galleries is a common way to “de-stress.”
- Increased self-esteem and self-confidence
- A sense of identity
- Increased positive emotions, such as optimism, hope and enjoyment,
- Museums can play an important part in helping teens develop self-confidence.
- Brain Boost
- Increased inspiration and opportunities for meaning making,
- Opportunities for learning and acquiring news skills,
But while you cannot get your mental health boost from visiting the MC&EM, your mental health can also be supported by exercise and spending time in nature.
Exercise reduces anxiety, and hospital studies have shown that patients who look out on a nature view recover faster than those who do not have a similar view. So what does exercise and being outside do for you?
- Help for depression and anxiety
Exercise is a scientifically proven mood booster. Even just moderate exercise throughout the week can improve depression and anxiety, so much so that some doctors recommend trying out an exercise regimen for these conditions before turning to medication. - Decreased stress
Another mental benefit of exercise is reduced stress levels—something that can make us all happier. Increasing your heart rate can reverse stress-induced brain damage and improves the body’s overall ability to respond to stress. - Increased self-esteem and self-confidence
From improving endurance to losing weight and increasing muscle tone, there is no shortage of physical achievements that come about from regular exercise. It is just one of the many benefits of physical activity that boost your body, mind, and spirit. - Better sleep
If you have trouble getting a good night’s sleep, exercise can help with that, too. - Brain boost
From building intelligence to strengthening memory, exercise boosts brainpower and prevents cognitive decline and memory loss by strengthening the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory and learning. Studies also prove that physical activity boosts creativity and mental energy. So if you’re in need of inspiration, your big idea could be just a walk or jog away.
So, while you cannot visit the museum and get happy (except digitally!) you can get out and take a walk or jog in the fresh air for your physical and mental health.