How to Get Connected to the Outdoors

Most acknowledge the impact spending time outdoors can have on their well-being. However, many struggle to know what exactly they are supposed to gain.  

The Struggle  

Always running into this barrier made me feel like I was doing something wrong, like the benefits of being outside weren’t meant for me. This resulted in me spending less time outdoors. Every attempt to spend time outdoors just resulted in me feeling significantly less connected to nature. I spent more time inside than I should have, And with research, I found I was not alone in this, with under 20% of the U.S. population spending time outside once a week in the past couple years according to Outside Magazine.  

Yet with practice and deliberate efforts, the advantages that come from being outdoors can come naturally. 

The Advantages  

It becomes easier to notice and appreciate the benefits you can get from spending time outside when you’re aware of them. While the physical impact may seem obvious, there is a positive effect on mental health. According to UNC Health, there are four primary therapeutic benefits of being outside: 

1. Reduces Stress 

2. Deepens the Mind-Body Connection 

3. Improves Mental Health 

4. Promotes Better Sleep 

The best practice for achieving these benefits is to take thoughtful actions to be present during your time outdoors. There are many methods to doing so.  

The Solution 

The largest component of getting more out of being outdoors is the action of being outdoors. It is important to carve out time in your day, whether it’s daily or as often as your schedule allows for, to instill a habit for your brain, to allow for a moment to unwind and absorb the environment around you.  

Moreover, to fully get the mental benefits of being outdoors, it is important to practice mindfulness while outside, allowing you to immerse yourself in the experience. Mindfulness is the practice of being intently focused on the present and your surroundings. For further information on mindfulness, I recommend checking out this article.  

By making time every day and implementing mindfulness while spending time outdoors, your time outside can truly be transformed. 

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