The Great Outdoors

Americans spend about 21 hours per day inside. On the whole, we are also more depressed and anxious than ever before.

Many of us have been trained to seek out commodified services to unwind (I’m looking at you, #selfcare!). But what if a potential solution cost zero dollars and offered zero risk?

On today’s show: An invitation to welcome nature back into your life, with 5.5 novel suggestions that are backed by science.

Here’s a preview:

[9:00] Walk barefoot! (Around your yard, at least)

[14:00] Don’t knock it ’til you’ve tried it, camping edition

[20:00] We don’t have to optimize every second. Here’s how to wander like a boss in a wild space

[26:00] Get your hands dirty

[34:00] 2 hours per week outdoors offers a laundry list of benefits, so move your favorite activities outside

Resources mentioned:

• Rooted: Life at the Crossroads of Science, Nature, and Spirit (by Lyanda Lynn Haupt)
• Why Gardening Is So Good for You (via The New York Times)
• Episode #465: Optimizing Your Walks (with Annabel Abbs)
• Cornell Lab bird app

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