This post is sponsored post written by me on behalf of the Mom It Forward Blogger Network and Grass Seed. All of the thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are 100% my very own.

What makes me most happy about the house we live in is the very large fenced in backyard. We are so blessed to have ample amount of space to run around outdoors and spend hours getting fresh air. I feel like families these days spend far too much time indoors when there are so many benefits to getting outside! Here are just a few reasons why you need to spend more time outdoors and the many benefits.

Did you know that spending time outdoors can actually improve your physical health? When you step foot outside, you are spending time in the sunshine. Getting sunshine means you are soaking up the sun, which allows your body to make vitamin D. This essential vitamin helps protect you against osteoporosis, heart disease, and certain cancers.

Have you ever wondered why we are less motivated and more prone to depression in the winter? That is because we are spending so much time indoors and seasonal depression does exist! If you want to improve your mood and ease anxiety and depression, simply get outside! This doesn’t have to be complicated, just head out to the yard and do a little yard work. Take a ball out and toss it around with the kids. Even if you don’t have the motivation to get out there, I guarantee once you have forced yourself to get outside you will feel so much better! Making an effort to spend time in a natural environment is going to help you reduce stress and feel happier.

Grass is both visually and environmentally important for our communities. Why you ask? Because grass is naturally calming and relieves stress. Just the visual appeal of grass is shown to improve mental health and create greater community pride. Green lawns are both beautiful and functional. Can you remember the last time you passed a beautiful green lawn and didn’t think happy thoughts?

Did you know that In urban neighborhoods, grass is actually particularly important for helping to absorb noise, which in turn gives your family a healthy link with nature.

Spending time outdoors will actually help you sleep better at night! Have you ever noticed that the children barely make it to their beds before falling asleep after a long day in the sun? So if you find you are having a hard time sleeping at night or the kids are having trouble settling down before bed… get outside for an hour! There are so many simple and fun things to do in your own backyard. I bought this slide at the store, which is such a simple toy that they spend so much time playing with. You could also set up an obstacle course, play a yard cleaning game, or a scavenger hunt. Lawn games are also popular at our house; corn hole, bocce ball, badminton, croquet, horseshoes and lawn twister! Play a game of baseball, pass the football around the yard or play fetch with the dog. Or in my daughter’s case… attempt to play t-ball with the dogs tennis ball, hehe!

Need more reasons or ideas to get outdoors? Why not have a picnic in the backyard instead of eating dinner at the table. You could always star gaze when the sun goes down. If you have a fire pit then making s’mores after dinner is a great activity. On the weekends you can also have an outdoor movie night while cooking on the grill. So many ways to have fun outdoors, it’s all about getting creative!

If you need help getting your yard ready for spring and summer time, consider using Grass Seed USA as a resource. They are a national coalition of grass seed farmers and academic turf specialists with much knowledge and experience with growing and harvesting grass and grass seed. Not only do they educate families on the benefits of grass, but they will also teach you more about the best practices for responsibly growing and maintaining a healthy yard.

For more information on Seasonal Affective Disorder, make sure to stop by betterhelp.com!