Most people experience stress due to work and other responsibilities. Thus, it is crucial to take breaks whenever things are becoming difficult to handle. It is advisable to take a step back since mental health is an essential aspect of a person’s life.
Burnout is becoming a regular occurrence because of the fast-paced environment of most workplaces. Toxic work environment, as well as co-workers, can also cause exhaustion. If not prevented or managed, burnout can lead to severe mental health issues.
“Experts define burnout in different ways and note different causes. So what might tip you over the edge at work may differ from what pushes someone else into emotional and physical exhaustion,” wrote Margarita Tartakovsky, MS. “This is why it’s important to reflect on the root of your burnout.”
Here are three outdoor activities you can choose from when you need to take a break for your sanity.
Hiking
Hiking may seem like a strenuous physical activity, but it is rewarding to the mental health of a person. Hiking is not only an exercise for the body, but it is also a gentle exercise for the mind. The fresh and clean air of nature contributes to this calming venture.
Hiking can clear your mind of unnecessary thoughts. You will have the opportunity to disconnect from the busy streets of the city. More importantly, the countryside will provide you with a peaceful setting to clear your mind of negative thoughts that harm your mental health.
Due to technological dependence, most people become addicted to their devices and social media applications. These applications help them easily connect with different people. However, continued social media connections can also be overwhelming. During those times, a hike to the mountains can be refreshing.
Camping
If you manage to take more than a day off, you could incorporate camping into your hiking plans. This way, you can spend more time with nature. The chirping of birds, the clean air, and the beautiful trees make for a perfect environment for relieving your stress.
Camping can help you sleep better. Having a good sleep will boost your disposition because of the rest and nourishment your brain will get from it. It will also help you avoid the feeling of grogginess. Thus, you will feel recharged once you get back to your daily routine.
Similar to hiking, camping allows you to disconnect from the technology-dependent world. It lets you avoid devices and applications which are frequently toxic to your physical and mental well-being. Camping enables you to connect with the peace and beauty of nature. The real connection you will feel during the camp will most likely bring relaxation to your mind.
“There is mounting evidence that almost any outdoor activity will decrease stress and improve life satisfaction,” wrote Constance Scharff, PhD. “Improvement in both mental and physical health can be attributed to spending time outdoors.”
Outdoor Yoga
Yoga is already rewarding, even when done indoors. Thus, when done outdoors, yoga brings more health benefits. This type of meditation gives physical and mental satisfaction to a person.
Outdoor yoga allows you to be more connected with nature. Most people who engage in outdoor yoga do not use mats during sessions. Practicing yoga without a mat provides grounding, which aids in pain relief and other benefits.
Being around nature is an effective stress reliever. Susan McQuillan MS, RDN, wrote that “researchers at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City have found that there are significant mental health benefits to be gained from participating in outdoor activities. Their systematic review of the existing literature on the mental health benefits of nature-based recreation, recently published in the Journal of Leisure Research, confirmed that spending time outdoors, and especially participating in outdoor activities, can lead to a variety of positive mental health outcomes.”
You can choose to do these activities in a forest or near bodies of water. It is more relaxing to spend your break in a calming and refreshing environment.