W H Y S P E N D T I M E O U T S I D E ?C R E A T E D B Y S T E P H E N G E R I

• Many people take the outdoors for granted these days, especially with all of the latest technology trends - people spend more time on their phones then they do with nature.

• But, unfortunately, this isn’t good - when was the last time you went outside?

• This doesn’t just mean on your lunch break, but for a purpose and enjoyment.

• Here are a few of the dozens of reasons why you should spend more time outdoors…

• First, nature helps restore your focus.

• According to an article published on Whole9life.com entitled, 4 Reasons to Go Outside If You Care About Your Health, “Urban environments constantly demand focus and attention, and seldom give us a break… To restore focus and willpower, you need to give your brain regular recovery time by immersing yourself in natural environments,” (Murphy).

• That being said, nature helps to restore your energy in a calming way, and takes away from the constant buzz of distractions that urban environments generally create.

• In addition, nature is great for reducing stress because it helps you relax.

• In our society, being stressed has become the norm, but people often don’t realize the terrible, unhealthy side effects that stress can cause.

• Being surrounded by nature helps give us an uplifting, positive feeling that fights anxiety and our everyday stresses.

• So, next time you are feeling tense, go for a long walk near a river, a hike in the woods, or even grab your clubs and head to the golf course (and better yet - leave your phone behind).

• Being outside also proves to have many benefits for your brain’s health.

• According to Whole9life.com:

• “Artificial environments are ultimately boring to our innate need to novelty. Although they can be exciting and stimulating in the short-term, they don’t tick all the boxes in the list of things our brain requires for novelty and excitement. Nature can give us a sense of being away from it all, either mentally or physically...Because natural environments are so rich in scope, they very easily capture our imagination,” (Murphy, 4 Reasons to Go Outside If You Care About Your Health).

• So, go outside without any distractions.

• Take a walk and read a book under the cool shade of a tree.

• Listen to the beautiful sounds that nature has to offer - from running water and birds chirping, to the soothing silence that cannot be found in an urban environment.

• Unplug from your devices and connect with Mother Nature - you won’t regret it! For more information on why being outside is beneficial for your health, read this article on whole9life.com.