Find Me Outside
- Rick Schwartz
- Apr 10
- 2 min read
I don't think it is a secret that my life has been filled with mental and emotional challenges these last 5 to 6 years. I have been open on social media about having a therapist and a coach, while also being a mentor and coach for others. And although I have kept many of the personal details vague, most of you know that the recent event, in a string of life events, was getting laid off from a job that was much more to me than just a job.
Back in 2000 I found one of the best ways for me to keep my mental and emotional balance during the lock down, was to get outside with a purpose. That purpose being, walk a mile and notice the plants and animals. Yes, it was just a neighborhood walk at first, but even in the suburban environment, their were plants, trees, lizards, birds and so much more.
From there, I picked up running and that soon became trail running. And although it was physical movement for the body, trail running in natural spaces became so much better for me then running in the neighborhood.
Running in nature, I found myself stopping and taking pictures, or just stopping to take in the sights. I felt more connected to myself and nature. Even with the many unsettling things that were going on in my life, being outside, in nature - running or just sitting on a big rock - helped me tremendously. I figured it was because I have always been the type to want to be outside, even as a kid - rain or shine, heat of snow, I wanted to be outside.
But get this, there are studies out there the show us that humans do better when in and around nature!
Learn more about what the experts are saying:
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