The Detour Project

Get Outside

We spend too much sedentary time inside these days. We wake up, go to work or school, sit at a desk, drive home, eat, plop ourselves in front of the television, go to bed and do it all over again. Day after day, after day, after day. A sedentary lifestyle has an incredibly negative affect on our physical, mental and spiritual well-beings. It drains our energy, attention spans, creativity and health.

“Adopt the pace of nature, her secret is patience.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Spending time in nature is one of the simplest, and most accessible ways to reduce stress and fatigue and boost our immune systems. Research proves that spending time outdoors, surrounded by nature helps boost our Vitamin D levels which helps protect us from cancers, osteoporosis, heart disease, diabetes, and yes, depression too.

Spending just a few hours every week outdoors helps to restore our minds, bodies and souls. Here are just a few of the benefits you will notice:

• Improved mood
• Increased activity (better fitness)
• Increased attention span and ability to focus
• Reduced stress and anxiety
• Boost in creativity

When was the last time you took a walk in the early morning and watched the sunrise, or took a walk in the evening and watched the sunset? Can you remember the last time you felt the cool evening or morning breeze on your face? Walked barefoot through the grass in the morning dew? Ran through a sprinkler or a rain shower on a hot summer afternoon? Stood barefoot in a lake with a loved one and watched the sunrise as the waves rolled over your feet? Went fishing or kayaking or canoeing? Built a snowman? Do you take time each day – even if it’s just for 10 minutes – to listen to the birds, or watch the clouds move, or smell the flowers?

I can tell you that after an afternoon of hiking through the woods, or canoeing, or a weekend camping, I feel refreshed, rejuvenated, calm, appreciative, focused, and happy. It’s one of the most restorative, therapeutic experiences I can think of.

I was not always like this. I HATED it outside! I hated the bugs, the heat, the cold, the snow, the rain, etc. I was also a very miserable, negative, cynical, angry and overweight person during those times.

A few years ago, I made a commitment to spending some time outside everyday, and getting out into nature (and away from the suburbs) as often as I possibly could. This commitment has played a HUGE role in reducing my levels of stress and anxiety, increased my ability to focus, increased my level of appreciation for life in general and improved my patience and relationships.

Years ago, I was driving home from Chicago with my friend Audrey (who has since passed) and as we crossed back into Michigan, she told me to pull off at an exit. When I asked why, she said to just do it and she would show me. As I followed her directions, we arrived shortly at a secluded beach on the shore of Lake Michigan. She told me to take off my shoes and socks and stand with her in the water, and she took my hand. She told me not to speak. To just close my eyes, and listen and feel. I don’t know how long we stood there, but that was a life changing moment. That was a moment when I realized that my life had been moving much too fast, and that I was not taking the time to appreciate the nature and beauty that surrounds us. Everything else that was on my mind quickly faded as I became quiet (physically and mentally), calm and connected.

Nature surrounds you and is there anytime you need it. Go on a hike. Go camping. Go fishing. Go stand in the water with your shoes and socks off and close your eyes. Go for a walk, or a jog, or a bike ride through a park. Plant a garden, or tend to yours if you have one. Watch and feel your life change as you become more connected to the earth and all of the wonders it has to offer.

** this post is an excerpt from Building a Foundation for Happiness