With winter approaching and the days getting colder, we have the tendency to want to stay inside – cozy up against the fireplace and hunker down. At PFD, we ask that you fight the urge to remain indoors, as time spent outside can have astronomical effects on our health and well-being. This can be especially helpful in this time in which stress is especially pervasive.
It should be known that we are not suggesting that we should forgo precautions against the Coronavirus pandemic, but, we know that there are ways we can safely engage in activities outside. In fact, since the Covid-19 virus is spread through respiratory droplets released into the air, studies show that you are more likely to catch this disease when you are indoors, because you are inhaling shared air. When you’re outside, fresh air is moving and dispersing these droplets, making you less likely to catch the virus. With the proper precautions (i.e. social distancing, going to non-crowded areas, practicing good hand hygiene), spending time outside can be a low-risk way of rejuvenating to be able to bring your best self to your work and your life.
THE HISTORY
There is a rich history of peoples’ connection to the land, whether it be illustrated through indigenous ceremonial practices, the writings of Ralph Waldo Emerson, or otherwise. I would like to highlight a specific movement, however, beginning just decades ago that aimed to study in an interdisciplinary way the connection between nature and our well-being. This study is called Shinrin-Yoku, otherwise known as Forest Bathing, and it originated in Japan. While Shinrin-Yoku can be a meditative, intentional practice with specific steps, you can experience it in its most basic form: giving yourself time to meander through the outdoors – seeing, smelling, touching, and listening to what it has to offer. Simply put: Go outside and be present to your experience there.
According to a 2001 EPA study, the average American spends 87% of their time inside a building, and 6% of their time inside a vehicle. While numbers have likely shifted over the years, they still paint a telling picture: we have created a culture in which we spend time indoors, and we have thus lost a lot of amazing benefits that the outdoors can provide us.
PFD Group Team Activities - socially distanced paddleboarding
EFFECTS OF BEING OUTSIDE
While we often feel refreshed after spending some time outside, we often underestimate the true benefits that this time can give us. We put off our time outside – making second priority to our work and the other priorities in our lives. While this is understandable, spending time outside can cause physical reactions in our bodies that can make us more present and therefore more effective in our home and work lives.
Some of the greatest benefits of being present outside (Shinrin-Yoku) are:
Stress reduction: Stress is linked to the production of the hormone cortisol. While this hormone is helpful to create energy and focus in short bursts, prolonged periods of cortisol-dependence can deplete our ability to be resilient. Prolonged stress can lead to an increased risk of heart disease, sleep problems, weight gain, etc. It can cause us to feel exhausted and more distracted. During this pandemic, economic crisis, and continued uncertainty, and it is critical we take the necessary steps to improve our levels of stress.
Reduced depression & anxiety: Studies have shown that as little as 30 minutes practicing Shinrin-Yoku can reduce depression. Spending this critical time outdoors can also reduce our anxiety and tension, which is critical during this time.
Boosted Immune system: Trees produce phytoncides, which studies have linked with strengthening our immune system. Being in proximity to phytoncides causes your body to release white blood cells – our bodies’ natural ‘killer’ cells – by up to 50%, which can boost our ability to fight viral pathogens as well as cancer.
In my own personal life, spending time outdoors has been paramount to how I have adjusted to this “New Normal” during this pandemic. Anyone who knows me knows that in pre-pandemic circumstances, I love to travel, and you would frequently catch me on an airplane. However, with this pandemic and travel restricted, I have had to find a new past time to get me out of the house. With this, I have found that camping with my family has been transformational to maintaining my health and well-being. Instead of wishing I could still be a globetrotter, I leaned into the blessings that I did have. Without travel, I had much more time to spend with my wife and sons in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. This shifted my mindset – from one mourning the loss of travel to one where I have so much gratitude for the time that I spend with my family.
In an era of heightened stress, unprecedented mental health crises, and a pandemic, we need to rethink how we spend our time to fight against these challenges. Spending time outside can be critical to reducing our stress, overcoming mental challenges, and boosting our immune system. While this time spent outside is not an end-all solution, it can give us a fighting chance against these challenges.
ACTIONABLE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE
Do your research - figure out the risk levels of your favorite outdoor activities, and plan to engage in the activities that have lower levels of risk
Take breaks from work in the outdoors and green space. Go for a walk outside, or sit in your backyard to spend some time in nature
Decorate your indoor space with plants and pictures / paintings of nature – even if you can’t make it outside, incorporating greenery into your workspace can give you increased benefits as well.
Encourage your team to go outside. By giving your team tools to reduce their stress, you can better your workplace culture.
Schedule time to escape to the outdoors. We know that it is difficult to make it outside during this time, but at PFD, have created a tool that will help you schedule in and protect much needed time to recharge.