The Big Sis Recharge - Get Outside
I’m sure you’ve heard the saying “touch grass,” but it’s actually necessary to give yourself a reality check and take in the world outside of our devices.
Going for walks & spending time outdoors is one of the easiest and cheapest ways to prevent burnout. There’s something so freeing about taking 10-15 minutes every day to get some fresh air, embrace the fall leaf colours, and soak in some sun. Even as it gets colder, it’s more important than ever to prioritize getting outside.
Getting your steps in and increasing your heart rate keeps you flowing and helps alleviate stress you may be feeling. Walking has been my reset button for years, and it started when I needed it most.
I love my family, but as an eldest daughter who lived away for school for some years, ending with an international exchange, I was so torn up about moving back home after graduation. I didn’t feel settled. I felt myself falling back into old habits, taking up the same “big sister duties,” and losing the independence I’d built up over the years. I was planning where to move next.
Then COVID lockdowns hit, and I felt stuck. I absolutely could not stay at home. When everything shut down and we were forced to stay inside, I would be outside walking for hours. Literally 2-3 hours at a time. I got to know my neighbourhood more intimately and discovered that there were so many parks and trails around. Every time it was a new path to walk or a new park to explore. I had been living in this area for almost a decade and didn’t even know what was around me.
Now, of course, I don’t have that luxury of downtime, but it created a habit of always going for walks. Even when life feels heavy, you’re drowning in deliverables, or you simply want to switch up your routine.
I challenge you to make it a habit to get outside. Yes, even when it gets cold and rainy and snow has fallen. Dress appropriately for the weather and aim to get outside in the daytime while the sun is at its warmest. Nighttime walks can be just as beneficial, but as women we have to be more careful, so see if you can meet up with a friend or loved one. If you truly have no time, consider walking part of your commute or using some of your break for a quick walk between meetings.
Life feels bigger, and your problems feel smaller. Walking gave me time to think and reflect on things I otherwise wouldn’t have while stuck behind a desk or doomscrolling on my phone in bed.
You have to do what works best for you, but as long as you’re intentionally getting outside, you’ll start to see the benefits in your mood.
How often do you get outside?