Get Up & Get Out Challenge
I just recently had the pleasure of spending a few days in Sedona, connecting with nature and all the amazingness of the wilderness!
Leading up to my trip, I was in somewhat of a funk, feeling de-motivated, a little less positive and more agitated. I had been working on various projects and putting in longer hours of work.
Being in Sedona was a great reminder for me about how important it is to spend time outdoors for my personal health and sanity – after spending some time outside I feel re-energized and ready to tackle the world!
It’s crazy to think about how little time we actually spend outside these days. I remember as a kid during summer breaks, I was outside playing until it was literally too dark to play anymore.
Now as an adult there are all kinds of distractions that keep me from going outside and the biggest one is work!
“Nearly three in ten U.S. adults do not spend time outside on a daily basis” – NRPA July, 2014
That’s just crazy pants! Our ancestors spent the entire day outside.
And according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the average American spends 93% of their life indoors (87% indoors and 6% of their life in automobiles). That leaves only 7% of your entire life that is being spent outside which boils down to just half of one day per week. Yikes!
I’ll admit, it’s easy for hours to go by or even the whole day without me realizing that I haven’t stepped a foot outside. I typically get outside for at least 20 minutes early in the morning for a quick run or dog walk, but that’s not nearly enough- in the big scheme of things, that’s only 1.3% of my day!
What we don’t realize is how unhealthy it is to be inside the majority of the time.
The EPA indoor air study showed that indoor air concentrations of some pollutants are often 2 to 5 times higher than typical outdoor concentrations. By being inside so much, we’re literally poisoning ourselves with toxins and chemicals. You might as well turn the car on and sit in a closed garage with it running for a few minutes every day.
In this week’s video I talk more about the dangers of being inside and how getting outside daily will boost your health (from Sedona too!).
More nutritious air is just one reason why we should spend more time outside. Getting outside more also has a major impact on hormone balance, mood and reducing the impact of toxin exposure.
Here’s why…
Being outside more helps to reduce cortisol levels, our stress hormone. This directly and positively impacts weight loss, energy levels, libido, and joint aches and pains among numerous other things. Positive ions in the air, especially from salt water (when you’re near the ocean) help to shift our body out of a stressed state and into a more relaxed state. Hence, why the beach is always perceived to be a place for rest and relaxation- there’s actually a scientific reason why you should take more beach getaways 🙂
Getting regular sun exposure regulates our circadian rhythm, or sleep cycles. When our body is exposed to the sun it can better sync with the sun and moon cycles to effectively decrease cortisol and increase melatonin (the sleep hormone) output so that we can easily fall asleep at night and get better quality rest.
One of the most important benefits is the impact it has on reducing the negative effects of electromagnetic frequencies (EMF’s) that we are exposed to constantly from all of our various devices. EMF’s increase our risk for cancer by altering cell growth and mutation, plus contribute to other ailments such as fatigue and insomnia. These days our whole existence practically relies on using a computer, cell phone or tablet. If you’re not going to stop using devices, at least do something to offset the damage.
And one of my favorite reasons for getting outside, is the fact that it raises your vibrational frequency or energy. Everything has a vibrational frequency (VF), when we feel down and out or depressed that means our VF is low. Plants, animals, the earth and even certain fragrances (such as essential oils) have higher VF’s that can boost our VF. So when you’re feeling low, not creative or less productive get outside for an instant mood booster!
This week I challenge you to get outside daily for 5-10 minutes in the middle of the day or right after work. Get exposure to sun, put your bare feet on the ground and notice how it shifts your mindset and overall feeling of wellbeing.
P.S. I’ve got something super exciting coming in just a few weeks that I can’t wait to reveal to you! It’s all about empowering you and others like you to become your own HEALTH BOSS. In preparation for the big reveal, it would be super helpful if you could tell me what you want to see more of – help me out by completing this quick interest survey
