Get outside!

What if I told you that I had an immediate, guaranteed, easy, pain-less and side-effects free remedy, that costs you nothing? It can help you relieve stress, get rid of headaches and bad moods, alleviate exhaustion, help you sleep better and encourage good health! Would you be interested?

Well, this miracle cure I speak of nothing more than getting outside!! There are lots of great things about living in a city. There are restaurants, bars, and movie theaters on every corner. You can get from one place to another quickly and easily. Anything you may need or want at any given moment is at your fingertips! However, getting outside does so much for both your mental and physical health!

This is my expat tip for this week! Regardless of weather or not you are a city person you can gain huge benefits from spending some quality time amongst the dirt and trees! Spending time outside is very grounding. It gives you a chance to spend time with yourself without your TV, Ipod, or computer. This helps to clear your mind and gain clarity and get rid of headaches!

It can energize you! Even if you are feeling tired and exhausted, getting yourself to spend some time outside, even for just 30 min. will encourage your body to wake up. This stimulates the neurotransmitters in your brain to begin firing more quickly to your muscles helping you to shake off that tired, groggy feeling.

With the sleepy feeling held at bay and your body moving it starts to produce endorphins which are important neurotransmitters with pain relieving qualities similar to morphine! Feel like going for a hike now?!

While you are outside you can’t help but breathe and this is such an important part of the whole experience. It’s a chance for your body to take in fresh, clean air. If you live in a city like I do this is hard to do on a regular basis because of all the pollution and lack of green space. Breathing in fresh air helps to calm your body and mind while relieving the built up stress from the day.

Getting outside also helps you sleep better! Your body is outside, moving and breathing while ridding your tired brain of stress and anxiety, and because of this your body and mind will quiet more easily at night ensuring you have a restful night’s sleep!

Now, I know that it’s hard to get outside as much as we should so I’m going to share some of my tricks for getting these benefits if you don’t have the time. First, get some plants or flowers and bring the outdoors to you! Next, during your lunch break leave 10 min. early and walk around the block or just stand in the sunlight! Lastly, instead of taking the bus or subway to the next destination in your crazy, busy life walk there! Or if you can’t walk because the distance is too far, just walk some of the way!

If you enjoyed this article and want to know more, I am studying at the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become a Certified Health Counselor. I work with expats who struggle with stress management, weight loss and living a balanced life abroad. If you would like to talk more about your own personal health goals and what I could do for you I am doing FREE health consults. You can email me at [email protected] for more information or check out my website www.thegoodfoodmood.com


The Good Food Mood; helping you to eat well, be well and live well with whole foods and life balance!