Getting Outside

As an adult, you tend to be very busy and most people choose to spend their free time indoors shopping, working out, or watching tv. In my case, it’s not that I’m too busy, it’s that I lack the motivation to get dressed and venture outdoors. Recently, I have decided to make a change and to embrace the outdoors. Here are my reasons why.

Mental Health

Everyone has heard that the outdoors is good for your mind, body, and soul, but the power of fresh air is still overlooked. In order to get the most reward for your time, it’s important to disconnect from your phone (but definitely keep it on you if you’re hiking or out at dark). I find that the simple release from technology is a great detox on its own, plus it will allow you to pick up on details you wouldn’t notice otherwise. If you decide to venture on your own, this time allows you to reflect on yourself as an individual, which is something that is rarely done. If you’re more extraverted, this is a great opportunity to get out with a friend or spark a conversation with someone new.

 

Creativity

Like I said earlier, disconnecting from your phone will allow you to pick up on details you wouldn’t notice otherwise. Modern life is constantly bombarding our mind with information and distractions. By removing these distractions, our mind is freed to wander, leading us on exciting new journeys. In the same way your body needs healthy foods to function optimally, your spirit can feed on landscapes like forests or oceans. Looking far away to these landscapes can make us feel free and as though time is abundant. This sense of “awe” helps you find inspiration as you feel like time is expanding.

Physical Exercise

Going to the gym to lift weights or run on the treadmill can sound like toture, but getting outside makes exercise easier. Find an activity you enjoy doing, like soccer, basketball, or my personal favorite, tennis. I guarantee playing a sport with a friend or two will seem more like hanging out than an exercise, plus it’s much healthier then getting together over wine and cheese. If you don’t have anyone to workout with, don’t fret, there’s plenty of options for you like biking, walking, or swimming! Never be afraid of doing something on your own, its good to be independent.