{"id":62540,"date":"2017-10-12T07:15:39","date_gmt":"2017-10-12T11:15:39","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/?p=62540"},"modified":"2021-08-26T15:09:06","modified_gmt":"2021-08-26T19:09:06","slug":"outdoor-adventures-health-benefits-nature","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/lifestyle\/outdoor-adventures-health-benefits-nature\/","title":{"rendered":"Escape the City: 7 Reasons You Need a Weekend in the Woods"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Escape
Photo: Pe\u0308r Jerner<\/a> \/ Camelbak Pursuit Series<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ask me the best and worst thing about living in New York, and I\u2019d say it\u2019s the hustle. The city\u2019s energy<\/a> instills a relentless drive to do better, work harder and achieve more. But that can also translate to more time with your head down (likely staring at a tiny screen), and less time reveling in moments spent with friends, wandering the city, or simply getting outside<\/a>. In other words: Goodbye Girl Scout glory days and weekends camping in the PA woods; hello long work days and some mood-busting subway commutes.<\/p>\n

The trouble with that is, being cooped up inside can certainly take a toll on both your physical and mental health<\/a>. Meanwhile, science backs up what most of us probably know to be true \u2014 that nature gives your body and brain a serious reboot.<\/p>\n

So, when the Camelbak Pursuit Series<\/a> beckoned me to San Francisco, I knew I had to answer to some outdoor adventures. Similar to events like REI Outessa<\/a> or Wanderlust<\/a>, the Camelbak weekend allows you to pack in as many activities as possible, including rock climbing, stand-up paddleboarding, trail running<\/a> and classes in yoga, backpacking and photography \u2014 all amidst the picturesque California Redwoods.<\/p>\n

Fast-forward three device-free days later, and I realized that the blissful benefits of a date with nature are real. Here\u2019s why you might just want to follow suit and book your own getaway ASAP.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>14 Must-Haves for a Perfect Camping Weekend<\/a><\/p>\n

7 Reasons to Plan More Outdoor Adventures This Season<\/h2>\n
\"Why
Photo: Jason Hatfield<\/a> \/ Camelbak Pursuit Series<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

1. The mood-enhancing rumors are true.<\/h3>\n

Think about how good it feels to step away from your desk and onto the sidewalk for a walk<\/a> around the block. Now imagine doing that for a full weekend \u2014 except with a little more greenery around you. Research<\/a> shows that people who take just a 90-minute walk in nature experience a reduction in brain activity associated with mental illness like depression. Similarly, strolling with other people has been shown to increase feelings of positivity<\/a>. When you\u2019re feeling drained from the week, take your stride \u2014 and your bestie \u2014 to a tree-lined block.<\/p>\n

2. The minutes seem to slow down.<\/h3>\n

Time flies when you\u2019re paddling<\/a> through open waters or sitting by a fire with live music, a beer and new friends. But being outside also gives you the sense that you actually have more minutes to enjoy what\u2019s around you \u2014 especially when you put down your phone and put the kibosh on multi-tasking<\/a>. So when I had time between activities to hang in my tent, I didn\u2019t check Instagram 10 times for new followers. Instead, I just laid on my cot. (OK fine, there was no cell service anyway.) Lo and behold, I found myself thinking about how much I appreciated the moment \u2014 not an everyday thought when rushing around the city to make a meeting or catch a train.<\/p>\n

Sure enough, science<\/a> shows how tuning out of notification overload and into a single activity gives your brain a much-needed break, considering multi-tasking can lead to mental fatigue. \u201cWhen we\u2019re constantly multitasking and responding to emails and working through the to-do list… we\u2019re overtasking the frontal cortex [of the brain],\u201d explains Florence Williams, author of The Nature Fix<\/em><\/a> and frequent contributor to Outside magazine. \u201cThat makes us grumpy and fatigued, and eventually, it makes us not so sharp,\u201d she says. \u201cThe brain is like a muscle and it helps to rest it at times. And that\u2019s what nature does, helps us rest our minds.\u201d<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Single-Tasking: The Secret to Less Stress and More Productivity<\/a><\/p>\n

3. You come back less stressed, more focused.<\/h3>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>It\u2019s no secret that spending time among the trees can help you de-stress<\/a> while perking up productivity, thanks to the positive feelings that cultivate in nature, as well as the above mentioned ability to disconnect. (And vacations almost always work as a way to recharge.) But studies<\/a> even link healthier levels of cortisol, or the stress hormone, to areas with more green space. Translation: Those who live near more grass and trees tend to feel more relaxed. (This is especially true for women, more so than men, according to research.) Even more important, spending time in green space has also been linked<\/a> to a longer life.<\/p>\n

\"Why
Photo: Jason Hatfield<\/a> \/ Camelbak Pursuit Series<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

4. You actually get in tune with your senses.<\/h3>\n

You\u2019ve probably read about the benefits of mindfulness<\/a> for mental health. Well, being outside makes mindful meditation a little easier, because you\u2019re exposed to more pleasing scents, beautiful sights and soothing sounds. This idea follows principles similar to forest bathing<\/a> \u2014 or taking a walk in nature, as you pay closer attention to the details you spot in leaves or bark, the sounds of waves crashing onto the shore, or whatever else fills your surroundings. Research<\/a> links these sensory-enhancing walks through the woods to lower blood pressure and fewer stress markers, compared to taking a stroll through city streets.<\/p>\n

\u201cBeing outdoors heightens your senses in a way that cannot be replicated indoors,\u201d says Kirsten Beverley-Waters, founder of Thryve<\/a> fitness and yoga instructor\u00a0for the Pursuit Series. \u201cThe fresh air elevates your breath awareness, which makes it easier to become more self-aware and present in your breathing. Nature becomes this incredible facilitator of unplugging from the distractions around us and dropping into what our body really needs,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>Is Forest Bathing the New Meditation?<\/a><\/p>\n

5. You experience that \u201cawe\u201d feeling.<\/h3>\n

When you take in a pretty waterfall, a breathtaking landscape or a park covered in gorgeous greenery, you\u2019ve already achieved something: immersing yourself<\/a> in the moment. \u201cThe science of awe<\/a> is pretty new, but seems to suggest that when we experience awesome beauty, we react in ways that are more generous and community minded,\u201d Williams explains. \u201cIt makes us think we\u2019re a part of something that\u2019s bigger than ourselves and we feel a little less stressed out.\u201d<\/p>\n

Another thing about getting your feet wet with different outdoor adventures is that you get to experience the world from new vantage points. \u201cEach activity gives a different perspective,\u201d says Julia Stamps Mallon, co-founder of CamelBak Pursuit Series and Eventus Outdoors. \u201cFor instance, when you rock climb and you\u2019re on the edge of a cliff overlooking a valley, that\u2019s a different feeling [and landscape] than catching a wave<\/a> and riding into shore.\u201d Though equally beautiful, different experiences with nature make you more thankful for it \u2014 and probably make you want to indulge in it more.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>7 Active Travel Getaways You\u2019ll Want to Book ASAP<\/a><\/p>\n

6. Nature becomes your gym.<\/h3>\n

Working out outdoors can actually amplify results \u2014 and lead to even more health improvements. In fact, people who exercise outside the studio report more feelings of enjoyment<\/a>, often sweat it out for longer<\/a> periods of time and tend to expend more energy<\/a> (at least in terms of running).<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you\u2019re in a gym, you\u2019re often not as stimulated and you\u2019re on consistent surfaces,\u201d Williams says. \u201cOutside, you have to balance and make micro adjustments to find that balance.\u201d<\/p>\n

Beverly-Waters agrees that taking your yoga practice outside can change the experience, too. \u201cCuing students to hear outside noises changes the energy of the practice,\u201d she says. \u201cUsing directional cues such as, \u2018ground down into the earth, extend\u00a0your arms up to the sky\u2019 \u2014 \u2018instead of ground down through your mat, reach up to the ceiling,\u2019 changes a student’s [experience].”<\/p>\n

I felt this first-hand during Beverly-Waters\u2019 Pursuit yoga class, when we got to stretch it out and enjoy savasana with Redwood trees encircling us. Picture laying in yoga\u2019s most relaxing pose<\/a>, basking in true earthy beauty. It was the quintessential zen cocktail.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>50 Resources to Step Up Your Yoga Game<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Why
Photo: Talia Touboul<\/a> \/ Camelbak Pursuit Series<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

7. You find new favorites (people and activities).<\/h3>\n

Beyond taking your typical gym routine to the grass, the outdoors also gives you more options to switch up your workout, adding exciting new elements and greater challenges. While you may work on pull-ups<\/a> at CrossFit, rock climbing lets you put it into practice. Similarly, rowing a kayak lets you put your back-strengthening exercises<\/a> to good use. Plus, there\u2019s nothing like conquering a steep climb or nailing a gnarly trail to boost your confidence<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want people to find the opportunity to connect and pursue their outdoor desires,\u201d says Mallon. \u201cSo even if you\u2019re a pro in one area, you may not be proficient in another, [and Pursuit gives you] the chance to try something new and to soak it up with friends, family and a new community.\u201d<\/p>\n

By the end of a Pursuit Series weekend, \u201cpeople have shared a variety of experiences that have challenged them. They\u2019ve learned new skills together, they\u2019ve been afraid together and they\u2019ve celebrated at night together,\u201d says Bart Davis, co-founder of the Pursuit Series.\u00a0\u201cOur participants arrive as strangers and they leave as a community.\u201d<\/p>\n

For the record, this is precisely how I felt come Sunday. Well, that and I certainly didn\u2019t want to head back indoors where my laptop becomes my BFF.<\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/strong>15 Adventures You Should Definitely Take<\/a><\/p>\n

How to Connect with Nature Every Day<\/h3>\n

Of course, we know it\u2019s not so easy to slip away from the office and into the woods<\/a>. So when you can\u2019t get away, learn to take a few more breaks to find the beauty in nature \u2014 even if your surroundings involve more concrete than bark or rock.<\/p>\n

First and foremost, Williams suggests taking out those earbuds and actually listening to the sounds around you (screeching cars even count). It also helps to go for a short walk in the morning to help reset the circadian rhythm and start the day with a positive mindset<\/a>. Other ideas Williams swears by: eating lunch outside, choosing a tree-lined street to walk down or simply sitting by a window while you work.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that we\u2019re at a crossroads right now, because a lot of us are recognizing that we\u2019re way more tied into technology than we should be, and we know that doesn\u2019t always make us feel well rested and happy<\/a>,\u201d says Williams. \u201cNature is an obvious antidote. Some people love water, woods or trees \u2014 and you don\u2019t have to like them all \u2014 but figure out what you do enjoy and go to those spaces that make you feel good.\u201d<\/p>\n

Williams has a mantra that I plan to borrow from here on out: \u201cGo outside, go often, bring friends or not, and breathe.\u201d<\/p>\n

Read More
\n<\/strong>Urban Hiking: The Most Epic Way to Burn Calories by Walking<\/a>
\nThe 10 Most Incredible Hiking Trails in the World<\/a>
\nThe 15 Most Epic Trail Races Across the U.S.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Feeling depleted? Step outside. Here\u2019s what one writer learned from a weekend in the woods \u2014 plus how science says outdoor adventures can benefit everyone.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":51,"featured_media":62549,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[8,12,15],"tags":[340,265,229,282,341,360,100],"class_list":["post-62540","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-lifestyle","category-mental-health","category-stress","tag-camping","tag-fitness-class","tag-mindfulness","tag-stress","tag-tax1living-well","tag-tax2stress-management","tag-workout"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62540","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/51"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=62540"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/62540\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/62549"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=62540"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=62540"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/dailyburn.com\/life\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=62540"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}