June is a perfect time to venture into the green areas of southwest Michigan and enjoy the many health benefits of fresh air. Whether it’s summer or winter, we can be healthier and happier after spending time in the outdoors.

Many of us live and work in big boxes where the air is recirculated through vents. By stepping outside, we exchange the stuffy confines of our homes and office buildings with the open spaces of earth, trees and sky.

But exactly why does it feel so good to be outside? Why do I take a walk through our tree-filled neighborhood when I am feeling antsy, and find that by the end I am calmer and have a clearer perspective on life?

The first main reason is oxygen. Through photosynthesis, trees and plants turn pollution into oxygen, cleansing the air and filling it with this life-giving substance. In general, each breath we take in leafy green places contains a higher concentration of oxygen than the air we breathe indoors.

More oxygen equals better health. Our brains think more effectively. Serotonin levels rise, lifting our spirits and evening out our moods. Cells function more efficiently, aiding digestion and boosting the immune system.

Basically, we think better, feel happier and heal more quickly when we have more oxygen available.

Secondly, the good smells of the outdoors can have positive effects on our bodies. Inhaling the sweet scents of flowers promotes relaxation and reduces stress; breathing in fresh pine also relaxes and rejuvenates.

Researchers have investigated why we love the fresh smell right after a rainstorm: plant oils and bacterial spores are released by the moisture into the air, where they drift into our happy noses. The effect is similar to that of the scent of freshly dug soil (and perhaps explains why gardening can be so pleasantly addictive).

Thirdly, and perhaps partly because of the abundance of oxygen and wonderful scents, we gain more energy from being outside. You might think that taking a stroll would drain you, but research shows that the opposite is true: nature fills you up.

According to research published in the Journal of Environmental Psychology, the majority of subjects reported greater vitality when outdoors in nature, rather than when indoors (“Vitalizing effects of being outdoors and in nature,” June 2010). Maybe instead of consuming that next cup of coffee, we should venture into the wild!

As a mother of teenagers, I have discovered over the years that some of my best parenting has involved sending the kids outside. Getting away from screens and devices puts things into proper perspective. Also, children (and adults!) sleep better after a healthy dose of fresh air!

So whether we walk, bike, garden, do yoga or tai chi, or even just sit, let’s do it outdoors! Enjoy our free summer fitness classes in the parks (contact our YMCAs for a schedule). Take a big breath of fresh air and gain the marvelous benefits of our beautiful part of the world.

Chrissie Kaufmann is a group fitness instructor at the YMCA of Southwest Michigan.