Getting outside is a super important need for people. Not only do out basic needs like food and water come from outside, but according to UC Davis Health in "3 ways getting outside into nature improves your health," just being outside can help your mental health
Mental health is a key component to happiness. If you aren't available mentally, it is more difficult to find fulfillment in life. Not only can getting outdoors help your mental health so you can find happiness elsewhere, the outdoors is also a great place to find happiness! with niches in outdoor sports and hobbies everywhere, there is a place for everyone outside. Even something as simple as moving something you'd typically do inside outdoors can help, but the first step has to be out the front door.
According to IU Health psychiatrist Dr. danielle henderson, too much time inside can lead to:
- Anxiety or restlessness
- Having issues sleeping
- A negative impact on your mood
- Other various negative effects on your mental health
These issues come with you beyond the front door. They can effect school, work, relationships, hobbies, and more. Prioritizing your mental health is important, and too much time inside does just the opposite.
IN "3 ways getting outside into nature helps improve your health," UC Davis says that the great outdoors could be the answer to too much time inside:
Nature helps the mind and body relax and focus. It gives us a mental break and improves problem-solving.
Nature can decrease stress, anxiety, and anger. A combination of exercise and nature are most effective.
Physical wellness can improve as cortisol levels, cardiovascular demands, and muscle tension decrease outdoors.
The benefits of getting outside are endless. Compare some of your favorite personal memories from beautiful places outdoors with ones you've made indoors online. There may be some on either side, but the outdoors always proves to be more fulfilling
Social media and the outdoors:
The National Library of Medicine (NLM) found that more time on social media led to loneliness and negative mental health effects.
Teenagers and young adults across the country will tell you: social media is addictive. Finding oneself in an endless loop scrolling through TikTok almost always ends in regret, but there are still ways to tune social media to your advantage.
Social media can still help! Reach out to friends or family who post about interesting places or experiences in nature. Learn about potential ideas!
Use apps that are tailored to the outdoors. One social media app is Strava, which allows you to share outdoor routes and completion times in a supportive community.
the solutions for the outdoors and social media
Using social media isn't inherently bad, the NLM says, using it as a primary source of maintaining contact is the biggest thing to avoid regarding loneliness. Try some of the techniques below to start using your phone in a more positive way:
Find apps that work for you! I enjoy using Strava and AllTrails, both of which allow a community sharing of outdoor activity ideas. AllTrails is an app that shares various outdoor sports routes and gives them difficulty ratings, which is super helpful if you're just starting out!
An idea for the future: Take back the social media apps for their original purpose. Candidly share your experiences outside, many others may relate! The stigma with social media is that it has to be the perfect version of everyone's lives, but nobody's life is perfect!
A tech idea: Use your phone and social media as a tool, not a connection. Put on "Do Not Disturb" mode during outdoor activities, and just use it to take pictures, share your experience, and as an aid for activities.
These ideas are meant to help people find the outdoors and find more happiness and fulfillment in life. Through applications that are social, but not based on superficial lifestyles, we can find new way to adjust our mindsets about phones. With views of everyone's imperfect lives, hopefully people can see people for who they are. In general, using a phone less will save time, but also save the emotional toll of constantly being connected the the outside world. Overall, the use of the strategies can help increase happiness and decrease anxiety and stress.
Everyones different. Try out some strategies mentioned here, and one of them just might change your life!
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9817115/
https://health.ucdavis.edu/blog/cultivating-health/3-ways-getting-outside-into-nature-helps-improve-your-health/2023/05
https://www.alltrails.com/