Health Benefits of Spending Time Outdoors (And Why It Matters More for Wheelchair Users)

In an age where screens dominate our lives, the health benefits of being outdoors are well-documented and substantial. For wheelchair users, getting outdoors comes with extra obstacles — most beautiful places don’t have sidewalks, they have trails. That’s a problem worth solving, because the upside is large.

Sam’s story (and why I take this personally)

Before we started working together at Extreme Motus, my friend Sam spent a lot of time inside. His family did their best to keep him busy, but his life didn’t have a lot of purpose. He’d volunteered at many places but had never really had a job.

Today, if you’ve heard of Extreme Motus, it’s because of Sam Durst. The company couldn’t exist without such a perfect spokesperson — and Sam has told me many times that he was in a very dark place before all of this came along. Outdoor adventures gave him purpose, friends, and a reason to be excited about what was coming next. The science backs this up, but Sam is the lived proof.

When I think about how much Sam has gained from being outdoors, I’m reminded of a passage from Sterling Hayden’s book Wanderer about sailing:

“To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. ‘I’ve always wanted to sail to the South Seas, but I can’t afford it.’ What these men can’t afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of ‘security.’ And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine — and before we know it our lives are gone.

What does a man need — really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in — and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That’s all — in the material sense. And we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention from the sheer idiocy of the charade.

The years thunder by, the dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed. Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of purse or bankruptcy of life?”

— Wanderer, Sterling Hayden

Physical health benefits

• Cardiovascular health: Hiking, biking, even leisurely walks elevate heart rate, strengthen heart muscles, and reduce risk of heart disease.
• Immune function: Sunlight is a natural vitamin D source. Time in natural environments increases white blood cell production.
• Respiratory health: Forested areas have higher oxygen levels and lower air pollutants. Better lung function follows from regular outdoor time.

Mental health benefits

• Lower stress: Time outdoors reduces cortisol (the body’s main stress hormone). Walking in a park or sitting by a lake measurably lowers anxiety.
• Better mood: Natural light and physical activity together trigger endorphin release. Mood improves even after short outdoor sessions.
• Sharper cognitive function: Studies consistently show better attention spans and memory in people who spend regular time outdoors. Nature’s environment reduces mental fatigue.

Emotional health benefits

• Increased sense of well-being: Connection with the environment correlates with overall life satisfaction.
• Creativity boost: Many artists, writers, and thinkers point to outdoor time as essential to their work.
• Stronger social connections: Outdoor activities are usually social — group hikes, family picnics, community gardens. Those interactions build the relationships that buffer the rest of life.

Barriers wheelchair users face accessing the outdoors

Physical

• Uneven terrain: Trails, paths, and natural surfaces are tough on standard wheelchairs.
• Steep inclines: Hills and slopes are hard or unsafe to navigate without proper equipment or help.
• Lack of ramps and handrails: Many outdoor areas have no accessibility infrastructure at all.
• Narrow pathways: Trails too narrow for a wheelchair are simply off-limits.

Environmental

• Weather: Rain, snow, and temperature extremes are harder to manage from a chair.
• Inaccessible facilities: Restrooms, picnic areas, and other amenities may not accommodate wheelchairs.

Social and cultural

• Ableism: Negative attitudes and assumptions create unwelcoming environments.
• Lack of awareness: Many people simply don’t know what wheelchair users need.

Financial

• Cost of equipment: Capable all-terrain chairs run $4,500–$28,000+. Insurance rarely helps.
• Transportation cost: Getting to outdoor locations can require specialized vehicles.

Despite all of this, grants and nonprofits are working to improve accessibility, and parks like Tennessee State Parks and the Pembrokeshire Coast are showing what good accessibility programs look like.

Frequently asked questions

How much outdoor time is enough to see health benefits?
Research suggests as little as 2 hours per week of nature exposure correlates with measurable health improvements. More is better, but you don’t have to be a hardcore hiker to benefit.

What if I can’t get to remote nature?
Local parks, gardens, even tree-lined urban streets count. The biggest gains come from any outdoor time vs. none.

How does an all-terrain wheelchair help with the health benefits of being outdoors?
It removes the biggest barrier — access. Trails, beaches, forests, and parks all become reachable. The benefits then come from being there, not from the chair itself.

Are there programs that fund all-terrain wheelchairs?
Yes — see our roundup of 11 grants for all-terrain wheelchairs. Several state and national programs help cover costs.

What’s the easiest way to start spending more time outdoors?
Start small and consistent. A 20-minute walk or roll in the closest park 3–4 times a week beats one big monthly trip for most people.

Conclusion

The benefits of spending time outdoors are real, measurable, and apply to everyone. The barriers wheelchair users face are also real — but solvable. The right adaptive equipment, the right park, and the right people around you can turn the outdoors from off-limits to your new favorite place.

If you’d like to learn more about how the Extreme Motus all-terrain wheelchair can help you or a family member access these benefits, reach out:

Ryan Brown
ryan@extrememotus.com · 801-683-9191