The soulful benefits of spending time in nature

The benefits of getting outside

By Sara Mills

I’ve been a “mudder” as long as I can remember.

Mud·der noun, informal
One that performs well in muddy conditions, as a racehorse, athlete, or pickup truck. (General Sporting Terms) an athlete that performs well or is not deterred by wet or muddy conditions

When I was little, my Grandmother would take us for walks on the lake road to collect flower bouquets of weeds, leaves, sticks - whatever we could find. I always joke that I learned to swim before I learned to walk. And even as a sassy teenager, my love of hiking took root and has had a profound impact on my life.

Through the ups and downs, through the chaos of life, through injuries and illness - the great outdoors has always been my steady, reliable, non-judgemental companion. It’s where I turn when I feel happy, sad, frustrated, angry, excited… it’s where I go for help… it’s where I find clarity...and it’s where my strongest relationships have been built.

Six reasons to get outside

We all know there are physical benefits to getting outdoors, but here are six reasons why the great outdoors is good for the soul.

1. Nature is the best stress management tool I know! Combine that with movement (like say, on a hike) and you’ve found my secret weapon for managing my high-stress life. In my experience, it’s impossible to finish a hike or any outdoor adventure in a bad mood - even if you started that way. Whether it’s a quick walk around the block or a multi-day camping trip, nature is a powerful stress reducer.

2. There is no social influence. Theodore Roosevelt once said, comparison is the killer of joy. When you’re on the trails or on the water, there’s no influence, no comparison, and no expectations of others. You get to “just be” and step outside of the constant nagging of influence that’s so prominent in today’s world.

3. You get a mini media fast. And that, my friends, is always a good thing. Sure, you might want to count your steps on the trail or take pictures of that waterfall you just hiked to. But, once in a while, make a deal with yourself to leave your phone in your pack, take the watch off your wrist, and just enjoy the show. Trust me, this will change your experience.

once in a while, make a deal with yourself to leave your phone in your pack, take the watch off your wrist, and just enjoy the show

4. It gives you a “big picture” view. We always joke that we can solve the world's problems on the trails. It’s easy to get bogged down in the details of life but being outdoors (especially if you’re hiking, paddling, swimming, etc) has a way of helping you step back and look at things from a new perspective. It’s like magic.

5. It cultivates gratitude. Pick a trail, shut off your phone, and just observe. From the tiniest creatures to moss growing on a tree stump to waves crashing on the beach. Being outdoors helps us feel the magnitude of our planet.

6. It motivates us to “do better”. The more you put yourself in nature, the more you appreciate it and want to protect it. It’s wild how quickly you feel the pull to defend our planet when you start spending time connecting with it.

Sara Mills and her partner Brent are Atlantic Canada's travel ambassadors and the tour du force behind the travel blog Dashboard Living. When they're not sipping local wine, adventuring through the maritimes and collaborating with brand partners, they're building marketing strategies for their clients. As Canadian travel & lifestyle influencers, happiness advocates, professional foodies, and on air-personalities known for sparking wanderlust they're also proud to spread their message of "collecting memories, not things".