Kickin’ It Outside
There’s no better cure to a stressful day than some fresh air and sunshine. Going outside does great things for the body, mind, and soul. I believe the outdoors were provided to us as a place to retreat to and reset.
Body
Simply going outside can provide great health benefits. Time outside can help you be more active and even sleep better. Just a plant in a room can make someone feel less anxious or angry. Going outside emphasizes this, and exercising outside is the best thing you can do. Fresh air relieves stress which means you’re less likely to have high blood pressure (so get your daily walk in!).
Mind
The outdoors boost and restore your mental energy. The “greenness” of the outdoors has been proven to improve concentration and increase creativity levels. So if you’re ever in a rut at work, go outside for a few minutes to refuel. During that refuel the sunlight will keep up your serotonin to make you happier throughout the day.
The Japanese have a practice called forest bathing. This practice is not to exercise, but just be in nature and take it all in by opening up your senses. Even a quick forest bath unplugged from your devices can destress and relax you. So go bathe in the fresh air today!
Soul
For me at least, spending a few minutes outside makes me happier. Even if I’m just watching some Netflix, I prefer to do it from my hammock where I can feel the breeze and smell the freshness in the air. Fresh air is good for the soul in other ways as well. It is social, even if you aren’t trying to see people, you likely will. My time with friends has been almost exclusively on walks and hikes the last few months and I’ve really come to appreciate that people and the great outdoors are really some of the most important things in life.
Our partner this month gets people outside on a regular basis. SKY Soccer strives to create an experience for all of its athletes that is enriching to their body, mind, and soul. They are doing this by creating an outlet for outdoor exercise, building discipline from the game, and providing a social experience too.
So really, when you get stressed out, just remember to take a break. Go for a walk or a run, if you can’t go get a cup of coffee or just do something for yourself to refresh!
