Why You Need to Get Outdoors, Everyday

Spending time in nature isn’t part of a luxurious lifestyle, nor is it exclusive to the uber-outdoorsy type.   Experiencing nature regularly is vital for the physical, cognitive and emotional wellbeing of every human on the planet.

Think about how you feel after spending a full day indoors.  What are the thoughts or emotions that come up for you? What does it feel like? 

Now, imagine spending a day immersed in nature.

Imagine how it feels to look up to the sky, feel the sun, hear the breeze through the trees, see animals all around.  You slow down and notice your surroundings.  How does it feel?

Health Benefits of Nature

It’s clear- mother nature is all-powerful and healing, that’s nothing new.  This ancient wisdom has been consistent cross-culturally throughout the history of mankind.   Modern-day science continues to analyze how spending high-quality time outdoors in green and blue space is a solution to many ailments.  Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and aggression both lessen in natural environments, and it has also shown to help speed the rate of healing. It lowers blood pressure and stress hormone levels, diminishes nervous system arousal, improves immune system function, raises self-esteem, lowers anxiety, enhances mood, promotes calmness, reduces feelings of isolation.

Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and aggression both lessen in natural environments, and it has also shown to help speed the rate of healing.

It lowers blood pressure and stress hormone levels, diminishes nervous system arousal, improves immune system function, raises self-esteem, lowers anxiety, enhances mood, promotes calmness, reduces feelings of isolation.

 In fact, I’ve personally added it to my emergency panic attack tool kit, as getting outdoors reduces the intensity of episodic panic attacks and is instantly calming.

Stressed and Disconnected

Yet, few Americans routinely spend quality time outdoors.   The average American spend 93% of their life indoors (inside buildings or automobiles). This leaves a very small portion of their lifetime spent in the outdoors. 

The increasing use of computers, smart phones, televisions, and other technology has also been pulling many Americans away from the natural elements.

It is increasingly normal to spend little time outside.  More than 50% of adults spend less than 5 hours outdoors each week, and feel satisfied with this small amount of time. 

For those who live or work in urban areas, access to quality nature can also be a challenge. 

Spending the majority of time among buildings and cars rather than trees and nature can facilitate sensory overload and exhaust the nervous system.

Screen addiction, dense-growing cities, and cultural norms seem to be barriers keeping many humans from optimum health and facing depression, anxiety, stress overload.  Connection to nature is not a dispensable amenity.  It’s essential to our health, prosperity, quality of life, and social well-being.

3 Tips to Get Outdoors

So what can we do?  Change always begins with ourselves. 

Much of how we live is based off cultural norms. Taking a step back to see the bigger picture for your own life may help you realize where you could be making better choices for yourself. Here are three helpful ways you can promote more connection to nature which will decrease your stress levels, improve your health, and increase happiness in your daily life.

Make a Plan: Visit Mother Nature Often

The more the better, but at a bare minimum make sure at least 15-20 minutes/day.  Strive to immerse yourself into a high-quality nature experience (trees, plantation, and/or water).  A walk during your lunchbreak or after dinner is an easy way to build a routine you can stick with. Even stepping out under the sky to quietly gaze up for a few minutes can be turned into a regular morning or evening practice.

Dress for the Weather

Everyone loves a sun-shining day, but don’t let that set limits on your outdoor connection.  Embrace the habitat you live in- gear up with proper garments so you can enjoy nature when its wet or chilly without discomfort.

Make Nature Your “Go To”

Meeting a friend? Planning a date? Have some free time with the kids? Look to nature!  Nature walks are a fantastic way to connect, picnics, trail exploring, mountain biking/climbing, beach visits, fishing. Even visiting more “curated” places like parks, gardens, farms, zoos, and aquariums prove beneficial to your stress levels and overall well-being.

“Mindfulness Hike” Saturday Oct 30, 2021 (Victor, NY)

Join us for this live hike event guided by Jill Samson and myself in the beautiful winding woodland trails of Victor, NY (outside Rochester). Let go of stress and tension through physical activity, meditation, journaling, yoga and mindfulness exercises. You will set your energy for the day and take away many tools to add into your daily life to always feel your best.