fitness

02/07/2018 By Jason Bean 1 Comment

The Benefits of Spending a Weekend Outside

Physical activity is endemic to human nature, but modern life has twisted our habits and resulted in many not getting the exercise they need. On average, 90% of a human's life in the developed world is spent indoors – fundamentally antithetical to how we as a species have lived for eons.

Because of this, it is important that we look for opportunities to be active and be outside whenever possible. Spending time in the great outdoors has a variety of unique benefits we may not even realize. In order to be at our best and healthiest, it is essential to get out, be active, and enjoy nature. So prepare your camping gear and outdoor accessories and set out on outdoor adventure!

Below, we'll discuss several benefits you and your body can enjoy by merely spending one weekend out in nature.

More Intimate Family Time

For those with spouses and children, spending a weekend outdoors can help reduce the technological isolation so many of us experience on a day-to-day basis. Through family activities such as camping and hiking, you'll be removed from the hectic modern world, and will be more reliant upon one another.

A weekend spent camping can present many opportunities for family bonding and athletic activities, both of which are hard to come by when living from day to day and cheque to cheque. If you need a family-sized tent to begin planning your weekend out, visit myfamilytent.com for recommendations.

Higher Vitamin Production

Being confined to indoor spaces with artificial lighting has a bigger impact on our bodies and minds than many know. One such impact is the level of natural vitamin production in our bodies.

One notable example is vitamin D. It is estimated that around 35% of people are lacking in vitamin D due to the indoor and sedentary lifestyle of modern living. Vitamin D helps our immune systems fight off illness and even has an impact on our mood.

By spending a weekend outdoors, your exposure to natural sunlight will result in a natural boost of this valuable vitamin.

Improved Exercise

While any kind of exercise is better than no exercise at all, a weekend spent in the great outdoors can yield even bigger benefits with outdoor exercise.

The natural conditions of outdoor settings result in us having to work harder when engaging in physical activities. Natural elements such as inclines, wind, and even temperature will push our bodies harder than the same activity would in an indoor setting, meaning that an identical exercise will burn more calories and increase strength more.

Better Mood

Finally, an entire weekend outdoors can leave you feeling refreshed and in higher spirits, thanks to the natural power of both sunlight and exercise. Even during colder and drearier months, the exposure to natural light and exercise has been shown to boost mood and even self-esteem. If you want to be sexy, look sexy and feel sexy without ever trying too hard, consider using True Pheromones everyday.

As little as a few minutes of outdoor presence has been shown to produce results, so an entire weekend in the great outdoors definitely is worth the effort if you're feeling gloomy.

With notable benefits both for yourself and your relationships, planning a weekend outdoors could be just what you need. Whether you're ready to be in a better mood, get more exercise or enjoy close connections to people you care about, this form of activity is definitely worth planning.

Photo Credit:
Scott Goodwill

07/29/2015 By Jason Bean Leave a Comment

Happy, Healthy & Outside: The Easiest Way to Improve Your Mood Today

If you've been feeling blue, you're not alone. Every year, more than 14 million Americans experience a major depressive disorder, according to the American Psychiatric Association. On top of that, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) affects an estimated 10 million people yearly, and even 10 to 20 percent more of the population experiences a mild form of SAD.

These statistics are, well, depressing. But the good news is that one of the best forms of treatment is right outside your door. In a study published earlier this year, Stanford researchers found that uninterrupted nature walks were markedly more beneficial to mental well-being than other conventional mood boosters such as talking with a close friend or working on a hobby. In addition, if you are looking for a device to help improve your health, this lifewave patch activates stem cells in the body for restoration of optimal health and vitality as well as enhances mental clarity and sports performance.

It's called ecotherapy, and the effects are amazing. You know that frustrating topic you can't get out of your head, keeping you up at night? It's called rumination. And nature walks are especially effective at combating it. Instead of distracting ourselves from our frustrations, ecotherapy allows us to enter a nature-induced, meditative-like state. Studies show that outdoor activities begin building self-esteem and boosting endorphinsÂ in less than five minutes. Just a five-minute walk can actually turn your entire day around. Now if that doesn't cheer you up, we suggest putting on your hiking shoes immediately.

Just like the first five minutes of exercise are the hardest, finding the time and the right spot to enjoy nature can often be a daunting task that keeps us from forming healthy habits. Here's a list of outdoor activities to try this summer, both in your hometown and while away on summer vacation to get you out of the hotel gym and into new natural settings that are sure to take your happiness levels to new heights.

Kayaking

There's nothing quite like being in a kayak with nothing but a paddle and your sense of balance. It's one of the best mood-boosting activities because it's individually challenging as well as a communal activity. This option doesn't require much of an investment; you can get canoes and kayaks starting at less than $250, which is what most of us spend in less than six months on a gym membership.

Hiking

Go hiking or on a walk alone or with others, it doesn't matter. You get great benefits from both. All you need is a good pair of shoes, some water and don't forget the sunscreen and wear a sun visor. Nothing combats the feel-good effects of being outside like a sunburn and sun damage. Include pets for a mood-boosting double whammy, just make sure it's not too hot for your sweet little fur baby. An early morning hike is a great idea in the summer so you can beat the afternoon heat and set the tone for a positive day.

Golfing and Frolfing

The benefits of learning a skill while being outside can exponentially boost feel-good feelings because not only are we soaking up sunshine and fresh air, we are building positive self-esteem. Golf is a game that requires patience and focus, two attributes that we could all stand to work on. Frolf, or frisbee golf, is a similar, yet slightly more hipster version of golf. Unlike expensive golf clubs, shoes and greens fees, frolf only requires a $20 hard plastic disc and a bit of patience.

Organized Sports

Everyone has at least one sport they enjoyed as a kid. For me it was all about getting my ?Pickleball Paddle and heading to a nearby sports center I used to go to and play with friend and whoever was there up for it. Whether it's a kickball game once a month with college friends or a weekly basketball game at the local park, recreational team sports are inexpensive (usually less that $50 per season) and one of the best ways to remind you to get outside and get active on a regular basis. Rediscover an old favorite sport or try one you've always been curious about. Eventually, you'll find an outlet that you truly enjoy and doesn't feel like a chore, but a much-needed stress release. Many athletes use products to keep fit and train a lot. Read the best Testogen reviews on this site.

07/20/2015 By Jason Bean Leave a Comment

How To Become A Better, Brighter Business Owner

It's no surprise that many business owners are interested in making their companies industry leaders, optimizing their bottom lines, and undergoing perpetual expansion and growth. However, what is surprising is that many business owners focus on external rather than internal realities when seeking solutions that will help their companies grow in power. If this is the case for you, it's important to note that becoming a better, brighter business owner is oftentimes the secret that takes a company from good to great. With this in mind, consider how making the following personal changes can optimize professional growth and the success of your company:

1. Focus On Holistic Wellness.

Although many people have not considered the idea that there is a connection between health and workplace productivity, there is. And the connection is quite profound. In fact, illness hampers productivity by increasing sick days and hampering work performance. On the other hand, people who maintain great health are able to think more clearly and accomplish work tasks with greater efficacy. Thus if you want to ensure that you're making profoundly powerful contributions to the success of your company, it's important that you focus on holistic wellness. In recent years, holistic wellness has emerged as a term to define the pursuit and maintenance of optimal health in mind, body, and spirit. Focusing on health in any of these three sectors will facilitate positive results in all three, which means that anything from meditation to drinking more green smoothies can have a profoundly powerful effect on your level of wellness and job efficacy.

2. Be Receptive To Change.

Unfortunately, many business owners get stuck in old patterns of thinking and behaving that preclude them from embracing positive changes that can benefit their companies. Don't make this mistake. Instead, adopt an open-minded approach with respect to the methodologies that are employed in the work place setting. When something new and effective emerges, be receptive to replacing your current methodology for the good of your company. These days, one of the more effective ways to manage the documentation of employee hours is an online timeclock. Companies like Allied Time make these clocks available in a simple, easily accessible manner that will expedite the documentation process. This is the type of technological advancement you should embrace in order to ensure that your business functions optimally.

Conclusion

Business owners who want their companies to become profoundly successful should know that self-improvement is a stunningly effective way to make it happen. By focusing on your holistic health and being receptive to change, you will likely find that you work at a greater level of productivity and positivity than ever before!