Seeing the foRest & the trees
The 80s really were a simpler time to be a child in. Your options for entertainment were equally limited and vast, restricted only by your imagination. We spent hours outside, often without adult supervision and mostly up to mischief. Some of the greatest business people and politicians of our generation honed their skills by creating convincing backstories to cover up injuries and accidents.
As a Lawyer I spend hours in the office, in front of a screen – thinking, writing, reading and analysing the minutiae of cases and legislation. And as we come out of winter and start spring each year, I am reminded of the clarity and mental bandwidth one can gain by being outside.
Why should you get into the out
There are some fundamentally revitalising things about being outdoors. The ability to reconnect with a quieter, less cluttered version of yourself often assists in providing clarity, can help you break down large tasks into more achievable sub-tasks and provide much-needed introspection, an invaluable practice for daily life.
The Art of Grounding
Research has shown that physically connecting with your natural environment, whether it is walking barefoot on the grass, gardening, or simply sitting outside, can assist in reducing the stress hormone, cortisol, improve your mood and even aid sleep.
This in turn reduces anxiety and builds resilience for when you are next placed under extreme stress.
Other Health Benefits
Getting outside also comes with other health benefits too:
- Sunlight is one of the best sources of vitamin D which can assist in aiding calcium absorption, promoting good bone health and supporting immune function.
- Whilst we are on the immune system, being outside and exposed to natural compounds released by trees has been reported to increase the activity of some immune cells and overall support of the immune system.
- Being outside allows you to use your long-distance vision in a new and interesting environment – so much of our life as lawyers is spent in front of a screen meaning that we seldom look to the horizon and are less likely to use our long-distance vision.
The takeaway
Get out in the Garden
Jump in the pool (if it is unheated, hit up the Garden first, it is refreshing)
Go for that bush walk you’ve been planning
Take your shoes and socks off and walk on the grass (beware the bindii)
Sit in nature and just breath
Worst case, take your laptop outside and at least work with the view of nature.
