Short Version—-GO OUTSIDE
And I recently took my own advice to an extreme level and went to Glacier National Park in Montana, and as usual, I am real late to this ecotherapy party. The park was packed, but we had a solution for beating the crowds—backpack in for three days. I’ll post a picture below, but it will not do the park justice! The place is amazing and I am hoping the mental health benefit derived from this trip lasts a while. When it starts to fade, and it will, I will pack up the tent and get back out there for my booster shot.
In nature, our minds process a lot less information than normal, and they don’t wear themselves out by concentrating. Translation: I do a lot of deep thinking on the trail, but it’s not taxing like “work thinking”. It’s hard to explain, so just go take a hike.
There is no right or wrong way to spend time outdoors. After all, each activity provides you with all the benefits of the outdoors. However, if you don’t know where to start, here are some easy activities to get you outside.
- Go for a walk or run.
- Take a bike ride along a trail.
- Go camping.
- Take a hike.
- Garden.
- Move your workout outside.
- Meditate or do yoga outside.
- Have a picnic in the park.
- Go for a swim.
- Birdwatch.
And now for that picture. Going old school with a black and white photo, and I took this at Glacier National Park in Montana. Just looking at it can relax you. Don’t believe me? Read this https://www.sciencealert.com/just-looking-at-photos-of-nature-could-be-enough-to-lower-your-work-stress-levels and then go outside!

#mentalhealth #suicideprevention #growth #nature