Celebrate Great Outdoors by Immersing Yourself in Nature

If you’re like me, when you step outside on a beautiful sunny day and smell the fresh air or the blooming flowers, you feel a sense of peace, and you long to stay outside. It may sound cheesy, but sometimes it doesn’t even matter what you do; you simply want to bask in the sunshine and relax in the open air. As we enter summer, there’s no greater time than now to reap the benefits of the world outside your home.

Human beings weren’t created to stay inside all day staring at computers, TVs, or mobile devices. Sure, we can survive by doing this all day. But do we thrive? Of course not. Everyone needs the beauty and the solace of nature.

Studies even show that being outside is essential for our overall health. Healthline reports: “Spending at least 120 minutes in nature per week can significantly boost health and well-being. You can go for a 2-hour chunk all at once, or break it up into smaller daily segments—the benefits still hold.”

That’s great news because, while it’s ideal to spend some time outside every day, it’s not always possible to visit a park or a nearby hiking trail daily. So just knowing that you can benefit from being outside in nature for a two-hour period once a week will likely motivate you to do at least that.

And if you need additional motivation, think about all the benefits that spending time outside in nature offers. It can improve your thinking and reasoning skills. It can help alleviate stress. And of course it can improve your physical health if you are engaging in some form of exercise. In addition, spending some time outside and exposing yourself to sunlight every day may also help your sleep, as it can help you feel more tired, improve the quality of your sleep, and help you fall asleep faster.

UC Davis Health explains that “studies have also shown that being in nature has a positive effect on our bodies by reducing cortisol levels, muscle tension, and demands on our cardiovascular systems (lowers heart rate and blood pressure). Being out in nature often may lead to lower rates of heart disease. The great outdoors can also help you increase your vitamin D level, which is important for your bones, blood cells, and immune system.”

While a walk around the block is good exercise, or a walk through the downtown area you work near is also beneficial, we encourage you to embrace the spirit of the Great Outdoors Month and dive into nature. Leave your neighborhood, get away from the city, and immerse yourself in the world’s natural environment.

Most states have a national park you can visit. Check out this list of parks by state. In addition, the National Park Service offers a site where you can input the state you live in (or plan to visit) and select the type of activity you wish to do. It then provides a list of venues conducive to that activity. This is a great way to explore someplace new or to explore a new activity.

Think about all the outdoor activities you could try. You can go hiking, kayaking, bike riding, canoeing, or simply have a picnic under some trees. The goal is to breathe in the fresh air, take some time for yourself, or spend quality time with your friends or family.

Just remember some important rules for spending time outside, especially if going somewhere remote and if going alone. Always let someone know where you are going and when you will return. Take a compass, a map, and a phone (for emergencies only!), and dress appropriately. Take food and water with you so you stay well nourished and hydrated. Performance Inspired makes this easy with our Ready 2Go Protein Water and protein bars (Inspired Bar 2.0) that will fit easily into your backpack. You can also keep your water cool in our Double Wall Stainless Steel Shaker bottle.

Our beautiful country has so much to offer. This month, take time at least once a week to improve your physical and emotional health by ditching the electronics and by getting back to nature. You won’t regret it!