How many times did your mom or dad tell you to go outside? Probably more than you care to remember. It's pretty likely that their most immediate reason for sending you outside was to get you out of their hair. A few minutes of peace and quiet was all they really wanted, wasn't it?
More than That
Actually, it was more than that. While getting you out of the house while they stayed in may have been the more immediate goal, getting you outside because it's good for you was also part of the reason. After all, if sending you outdoors would make you sick or put you in danger in any way, they'd have kept you in. So why are you staying in now?
NO TV?
In our ever-increasing technologically-dependent society, it's hard to put down the remote and go out. We want to watch that show, catch that news report or root for our hometown sports team. We need to answer that call, send that IM and check the in-box for important e-mail. Going outside means no TV! Don't worry, you'll be ok. While there may be little to no technology out in the yard or on the deck or front stoop, you'll be doing yourself a favor. Get outside and shoot a few bucket on you or your neighbors basketball hoop if nothing else! That is always a fun activity to do outside.
A Little Vitamin D
Getting outside and soaking up the sun is good for you in so many ways...first of all, you're getting a shot of vitamin D. The sunshine you're basking in is bathing you in good health (provided you aren't cooking yourself up some skin cancer because you've been sitting there for hours with no sunscreen); vitamin D that your bones need to stay strong. You're improving the pallor of your skin by the stimulation of the sun. You're also breathing in fresh air - a huge improvement over the canned air you've most likely got running inside. Also, your eyes need a break, and there's not much on this earth that's more relaxing yet stimulating to watch than trees blowing in the breeze, birds hopping about, or waves crashing on the beach. Getting outdoors is so good for you that someone should probably charge you for it.
Cheaper Than a Health Club
Luckily, getting outside and enjoying everything the natural world has to offer is free. There are no membership dues or registration fees. No one stands at your front door to scan your ID so that you can take a walk down the street or simply sit out and watch the world go by. If you're trying to improve your health, get outside and take a walk or go for a run. Walk to the library instead of driving. Hop on the bike and go for a spin, with or without someone else. Sharing the outdoors with others can make your experience even more enjoyable. Getting out and seeing the world through the eyes of another can give you a whole new way of looking at things. Whether you take a walk, stoke a fire or shoot some hoops you'll benefit. So put down that remote, turn off that monitor, and go outside...it's good for you!
