If you’re facing an avalanche of to-dos and emails, are you spending enough time outdoors to give your life the balance it needs to take on your toughest assignments? Time outdoors can provide you good, clean energy that can keep you from losing energy just when you need it.
COVID-19 has significantly impacted the way we live on every level, from how we socialize to where we shop. According to Scientific American, lockdown measures and stay-at-home orders resulting from the pandemic have also inspired positive changes — like people spending more time outdoors.
Nature has a calming effect and can help alleviate anxiety. If you’re a stressed-out busy professional, take advantage of nature’s power. As vaccines roll out and the world transitions to the “new normal,” make a point of continuing to spend time outdoors. This can help minimize the risk of professional burnout. A whopping 77% of American workers report feeling sensations of burnout, according to a Deloitte survey — you don’t want to join their ranks.
Commit to spending more stress-free time outdoors to preserve your mental health. By learning how to schedule your tasks and make great use of your time as advocated by the Task Management & Time Blocking Virtual Summit, you can more easily carve out the time you need to achieve this goal. The below guide provides additional tips for dedicated workers who want to spend more time outdoors but are worried their busy professional lives will get in the way.
Recognize the benefits of spending time outside.
If you don’t recognize the value of something, you probably won’t bother making time for it. Recognize the fact that spending time outdoors will truly benefit your mental and physical well-being. Excursions into nature like hiking give you valuable exercise. Meanwhile, Harvard Medical School reveals that spending time outside boosts vitamin D levels, improves your mood, and even enhances concentration. Make the most of outdoor time by going where it’s green. Psychology Today reveals that plants have a positive impact on mood.
Block off designated time for outdoor activities.
Now that you recognize the importance of outside time, commit to dedicating at least 20 minutes of your day to the outdoors. If you struggle with time management and productivity, there are resources to help. The Task Management & Time Blocking Summit can be of help, so make sure to look into All-Access Passes. Trust technology to help organize your tasks and time. Use your smartphone or smartwatch to set reminders when it’s time to step away from your desk. If you’re in the market for a new device, check out online promotions to save money.
Find outdoor activities you genuinely enjoy.
If you’re not exactly a huge fan of nature, find ways to make your outdoor time enjoyable. You don’t have to go hiking through the mud. Inspiration Feed proposes alternative activities to help you enjoy the great outdoors. You can set up your yoga mat in the backyard, for example, or bring your lunch outside for a picnic. You can also make time outside more fun by making it social. If you’re worried about COVID-19 infection, socializing outside makes it easier to maintain distance. Ordinary & Happy recommends socially-distanced outdoor hobbies, like fishing and tennis.
Maximize the power of outdoor stress-relief with walking meditation.
As a busy professional, unplugging from your job can be a challenge. Simply going outside may not be enough. Make a concerted effort to embrace the soothing impact of nature and try walking meditation. As Chopra explains, so-called mindful walking encourages you to concentrate on the sensations of movement, like your feet hitting the ground and your arms swinging. This lets you be more in tune with your surroundings. Headspace app offers a walking meditation guide that can help.
When you’re part of the workforce, stress is a normal part of your life. You’re constantly juggling career, kids, family, and friends. It’s critical to make time for yourself, however. Setting aside 20 minutes every day to simply soak up the outdoors is a great first step. Follow the above tips to get started.
The 3-day Task Management & Time Blocking Virtual Summit is happening from March 4 to 6, 2021. Register for your spot today.A
Article contributed by Emma Grace Brown.
Emma Grace Brown lives her life by her rules; it works! When she’s not snuggling puppies, Emma promotes female empowerment through her website. Her mission is to help those who live with self-doubt to realize they don’t have to mold themselves to conventionality.