The advances in technology have led to a surge in remote job positions, which also means more time sitting at a desk. As much as this is wonderful and convenient for everyone, in the same breath it can also be isolating and sedentary. These long indoors hours may not be beneficial to your long-term health.

Simply spending time outside can improve your mental health. Add exercising to that equation and you will see a reduction in stress levels and an enhanced mood. Some schools have even begun to implement classes and programs taught outdoors, because they have found that student’s focus and behavior is significantly better when in nature.

Most individuals also don’t get enough Vitamin D. This very important immune boosting vitamin is made when your skin is exposed to sunlight for at least 20-30 minutes, minus the sunscreen. It’s responsible for preventing many diseases, including the common cold and flu. Without it, you would have an increasingly difficult time fighting off viruses and bacteria. As vitamin D is primarily only found in fortified foods, exposure to sunlight is the primary way we get vitamin D and ultimately raise our blood vitamin D levels. It’s been shown that those who sunbathe regularly have higher levels of Vitamin D.

Have you ever left a sandy beach feeling refreshed after a nap and some sun on your skin? Have you felt calm and peaceful during or after a hike in the forest? One of the reasons that being outdoors in this fashion helps people feel better is because it is grounding.

Grounding is essentially staying in physical contact with the earth. The earth has a magnetic field that contributes to your health. The magnetic field carries a charge, which means that electrons, the particles that power all of our gizmos and gadgets, travel through the earth through all of its living things. When you come in contact with the earth barefoot you are allowing the electrons, positive energy to flow continuously through you. This is part of why being outdoors can make you feel so good and is so important for your physical and mental health and well-being.

Spend less time indoors away from:
Televisions
Computers
iPads
Phones
Tablets
Electronic displays

Spend more time outdoors:
Walking
Biking
Meditating
Participating in activities near the water
Hiking
Reading
Sitting in the sunlight
Practicing yoga
Gardening
Engaging with friends & family

Our bodies evolved in concert with the Earth and its many chemical, environmental, and physical patterns. So take off your shoes and allow your feet to touch the dirt. You’ll be surprised at how quickly you can feel better when you and Mother Nature reconnect!