Simply being outside in natural open space has been widely documented to benefit humans in numerous ways, even before taking physical activity into account. This is largely due to the impact it has on our brain.
Morning light regulates your body clock. Bright natural light in the first hour or two after waking suppresses melatonin and resets your circadian rhythm, which is the single biggest lever for falling asleep easily that same night.
Darkness matters as much as light. Truly dark skies let melatonin rise unimpeded at night, which is part of why stargazing somewhere like Flagstaff — the world’s first International Dark Sky City, later joined by Sedona, Village of Oak Creek, Camp Verde, Cottonwood and others — can genuinely help recalibrate sleep.
Movement outdoors boosts mood chemistry. Aerobic activity like hiking, walking and cycling raises BDNF (a protein that supports mood and memory), along with modest increases in endorphins and endocannabinoids. Doing that same movement outside compounds the effect versus a gym, likely from the combination of light, fresh air and varied terrain.
Nature quiets the anxious brain. There’s a well-studied idea called “soft fascination.” Landscapes like canyons, forests and open sky hold your attention effortlessly, unlike screens or work tasks that demand focus. That effortless attention gives the brain’s default-mode network (the part tied to rumination and anxious looping) a chance to quiet down.
Awe has its own effect. Vast landscapes like canyons, mountains and wide-open sky tend to trigger what researchers call “awe,” which is associated with reduced self-focus and increased feelings of connection and well-being. This is a big part of why places like the Grand Canyon, Sedona’s red rocks and Prescott’s Granite Dells feel disproportionately restorative compared to smaller, tamer nature.
We don’t have to ‘rough it’
Northern Arizona has plenty of awe-inspiring open space to go around; that’s why many if not most of us choose to live here or visit. Outdoor adventuring seems almost by definition to require us to leave behind the luxuries of civilization in order to connect with nature, but these are just a couple of the great options for those who won’t forgo those entirely.
- Backland Luxury Nature Resort — Tucked into the forest a half-hour southeast of Williams, this 160-acre property has 10 suites ideal for romantic couple getaways as well as raucous family vacations. Includes floor-to-ceiling windows, bathrooms with showers, heating and air conditioning, king beds, luxury linens and daily housekeeping. www.travelbackland.com
- Guided private hikes in Sedona — Several firms offer these at all hours of the day, but sunrise and sunset tours are especially popular. Following an educated guide is an excellent way to go so you’re not checking a map (less directed attention, more soft fascination). See www.sedona.net/hikes for a list of some of the many tour companies to choose from.
