Tuesday Aug 20, 2024

134. Break the Routine and Get Outside

“We spend so much time sitting in front of screens—on our phones, on our computers, whatever that is—and we spend so much time inside,” says Dr. Andrew Fix. “Getting outside and doing things outdoors helps improve our mood, as well as our physical, mental, and emotional health.”

This week, Dr. Fix dives into the benefits of spending time outdoors and how it impacts our overall well-being. Have you ever noticed how much of our day is spent indoors, tethered to screens? Dr. Fix points out that our modern, indoor-heavy lifestyles are a major contributor to increased anxiety and stress, thanks to artificial light and sedentary habits. He explains that when we step outside and reconnect with nature, the results can be profound, leading to better physical, mental, and emotional health.

Sharing personal stories, including moments with his six-month-old son, Aiden, Dr. Fix illustrates how even brief outdoor experiences can instantly lift our mood and ease anxiety. Could just 20 minutes outside each day make a difference? He argues it can, especially when you focus on natural elements like sunlight, trees, and grass instead of just urban outdoor settings.

Dr. Fix leaves us with a challenge: try increasing your outdoor time and see how it positively impacts your health and anxiety levels. He reminds us of our deep-rooted need to connect with nature to thrive.

Quotes

“We spend so much time sitting in front of screens—on our phones, on our computers, whatever that is—and we spend so much time inside. Getting outside and doing things outdoors helps improve our mood, as well as our physical, mental, and emotional health.” (01:40 | Dr. Andrew Fix)
“If you’re getting some time in the sun, you can boost your vitamin D, which is beneficial for basically everything in our body. Our bone health, skin health, immune system. And we just don’t get enough of it.” (02:02 | Dr. Andrew Fix)
“You’re getting outside, moving around, and of course, that can help burn calories and everything else. But you also get out of that stressful environment. You get some fresh air, see some plants, trees, grass, and connect with nature a little bit.” (03:41 | Dr. Andrew Fix)
“We’ve talked about sleep episodes on this podcast before, and there are many other great ones out there about the benefits to our circadian rhythm of seeing the sunrise and sunset, like watching the sun crest over the horizon, and what that can do for our sleep hygiene and sleep health. But it’s also just going to put you in a much better mental place. It’s going to help you break away from the stressors of the day that are always going to be there.” (04:49 | Dr. Andrew Fix)

Links

https://thereadystate.com/trs_podcast/jared-hanley-getting-outside/

https://www.webmd.com/balance/ss/slideshow-health-benefits-nature

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