I am not against technology; I obviously need a computer, phone, etc to run my business. What I do not like however is when technology takes precedence over physical health, mental wellness and relationships.
I honestly believe this is a huge problem in our society so I have to speak my mind on this subject. Everywhere you look, groups of friends are on their phones rather than actually speaking to each other. Kids spending countless hours on the coach rather than going outside to play. Just a thought I had- do you ever read articles about reasons that you should be on your electronics? I haven’t.
So here I am on my virtual soap box- 5 Reasons to Unplug:
Remain a Healthy Weight
Obesity is a huge problem in the U.S. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, children and adolescents ages 2 to 19 (about 1 in 6) are considered to have obesity. The total health care costs in this nation related to obesity is an estimated $254 billion. If this trend continues, this could reach $957 billion dollars by 20230. Researchers state that kids spend up to 7 hours a day on their electronics! This exposure goes hand in hand with obesity because they are eating a lot while on their device and they are not outdoors burning calories.
Enhances your Creativity
In many cases, when people are on their phone or computer, they are consuming and not creating. Watching movies, favorite tv shows or playing games is passive and takes few brain cells. You are also watching other people live their life. Some say this is their “entertainment”. For me, the true entertainment are those that I create myself. When you start becoming active, you are “creating” a healthy lifestyle, new memories that last a lifetime, and knowledge and skills that you can share with family and friends. Sure, you can talk about your favorite tv shows, but it’s not the same. The new neural pathways that are also being created when you’re active outdoors will lead to more and more healthy endeavors.
Have Time for Yourself
I am a mother of two kids and have a very busy schedule. And when I worked in the Corporate World my time was even more limited. I know what it’s like to be pulled in 50 different directions at once. This is why taking time to play tennis, go for a hike or ride your bike is so great for your mental health. When you are no longer a slave to your device and take time away from it, it can give you clarity to think straight. FB, IG, Text..these are all forms of social media and communication that drive your thoughts to be focused on other things and people. (What stems from this could be an entirely new post). My point is unless you break away from these for a while, you don’t have the additional energy to think about your life, etc. I’ve made many life changing decisions while out hiking. I take along a journal and just write down whatever comes to mind. Nature has a way of providing inspiration and new thoughts that you’d never have while in the office being bombarded by phone calls and drop in meetings.
Get a Different Perspective
Playing outdoors opens up an entirely new world! Get a new perspective by going to new places and seeing the diversity in your State. I know in AZ there are hundreds of locations to go camping and hiking that I have yet to explore. If you are camping- then this gives you a lot more time to be absorbed in nature. Perhaps it’s the first time you’ve watched the sun set in months, played in a river with your kids, or cooked fresh fish from the days outing at the lake. I love bringing my camera along because this is when I truly take the time to look at nature closer. What are the beautiful patterns, designs, and colors that God has created for us?
Renewed Zest for Life
Is this your life- get up, go to work, come home, cook dinner, watch tv, go to bed, and then do it all over again the next day? Your life does NOT have to be this way! Stop sitting on the couch or going to the mall on the weekends. Start investing in yourself and get active outdoors.
An outdoor lifestyle is exciting because you get to plan your adventures, see new places, improve your physical and mental health, and be social with your family and friends.
If you have a low self esteem, then this is even a better reason to get active outdoors. Learning a new skill (like archery for example) increases your self confidence because you discover that you are competent and can learn new stuff.
Summary
I care about people and their health- this is the entire reason that I started Misty Outdoors. In my opinion, being active outdoors is the shortest route to living a long healthy and happy life. When you put your phone down and take time out for yourself, you will soon discover your highest priorities and perhaps your purpose in this life.
If you have other thoughts you’d like to share, please leave in the comments below!
Be Happy Outdoors!
Leave a Reply