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The Benefits of Spending a Weekend Outside

Tent w/ a View

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.

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 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.

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

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What to Do if You are Injured at Work

Factory Machinery

Most people don’t go to work expecting to sustain an injury, however, there’s always the risk of an accident happening. No matter what line of work you’re in, there’s always the risk of injury, even though some careers are definitely riskier than others. But, even if you have a nice comfortable office job, you never know what’s going to happen. So, if you ever find yourself having sustained an injury in the workplace through no fault of your own, here’s what to do to make sure that everything runs as smoothly as possible and that you get the compensation that you deserve.

#1. Inform a Supervisor or Manager:

The first thing that you should do if you are injured on the job is inform your supervisor or manager straight away. Not only will this allow them to quickly get you a first-aider or call for emergency medical help if needed, it will also begin the process of you receiving any worker’s compensation that you may be entitled to. However, a verbal exchange may not always be enough. In certain states, you’ll be required to inform your manager in writing about any injuries in order to get worker’s compensation. Since you may not be in a position to write a letter after recently sustaining an injury, you should aim to do this at the earliest possible convenience.

#2. Get Medical Attention:

If you sustain an injury at work that you will likely be eligible to receive worker’s compensation for, then the next thing to do after informing your supervisor is to seek medical attention. Of course, how you go about doing this will depend on the severity of your injury. For smaller injuries, it’s probably fine to make a doctor’s appointment as soon as possible, whilst more serious issues may require an emergency response. Depending on your role and the company that you work for, you may be able to see your own doctor, or you could be required to see one chosen by your employer. Be sure that you are clear on any guidelines regarding this before making your appointment.

#3. Keep Records:

If you have been seriously injured and expect a large benefit pay-out from your worker’s compensation, then it’s a wise idea to keep detailed records of your injury and your recovery period. In addition, if you are currently seeing a doctor who has been provided to you by your employer, then you should be very careful – a doctor paid by your employer could be more motivated to minimize the seriousness of your injury, or link it to a pre-existing condition. So, don’t exaggerate your past health or give them any reason to believe that the injury could have been caused or worsened by a pre-existing condition if this is not true. You may also want to speak to another doctor, or even hire a qualified injury attorney who can help you improve your chances of getting the full amount of compensation.

Have you ever been injured at work? Share your story in the comments.

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

Blue KayakIf 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.

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 endorphins 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. 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. 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.