The great outdoors awaits.

Mankind has always had an affinity for the outdoors.  We needed to be outdoors to grow our crops or hunt tasty animals.  We find tremendous beauty in rivers, lakes and streams.  Mother Nature can be equal parts inspiring and terrifying.  No matter the climate, humans need to be outdoors.

However with modern conveniences, like air conditioning and streaming wi-fi, we might not play outside as much as our ancestors did.  A walk in the forest gets put on hold for a live stream.  Working from home has made us soft.  Rainy days are frowned upon (unless you’re a farmer) instead of celebrated.  Truly, our caveman and less-distant relatives embraced the outdoors more than modern man.

Here are five stalwart reasons to get off the couch and go outside.

Less screen time

According to some sources, the average US adult sits in front of screen upwards of twelve hours a day.  Is this number sounds incredulous, take a look around your own life.  How many phones, tablets, laptops and televisions do you have?  There are even ‘smart mirrors’ that allow people to workout in front of a shiny, expensive new, holographic screen.  We use monitors on everything from doorbells to refrigerators.  US adults are inundated with screen time.

Get outdoors and leave your phone at home.  Some of you just crapped your pants at the thought of going anywhere without your electric lease tucked into your pocket.  Getting outdoors and ‘unplugging’ can rewire your brain.  It helps you think more clearly and organize your thoughts for when you get back inside.  A few hours less of screen time per week will not kill anyone.

Learn your local neighborhood.

Walking around outdoors is an excellent to learn the neighborhood where you live.  Unless you live in Metro City (Final Fight), where cyber punks lurk around every corner, ready to turn your face into pudding, walking the local streets and trails can familiarize you to your local block.  For those of you lucky enough to live close to more open spaces, here is your chance to explore the foot trails near where you reside.

Check out websites like, All Trails, for some suggestions on where to get started.  You may discover some really awesome walks/hikes that are right in your backyard.  If you are more urban based, you can forgo maps altogether.  Just head in a different direction for a set time, then back track.  Ask your friends and co-workers what their favorite places are to walk.  The options are boundless, so get outside and get some damn steps in.

Bust stress.

Exercise outdoors, sometimes called ‘green exercise’, is a fantastic way to bust stress.  Don’t be fooled by the hip modern marketing jargon, your grandpa never said, “lets get some green exercise today honey.”  He just rolled up his sleeves and went outside like a real man used to do.  Exercising outdoors has tremendous benefits.

According to one study, “all types of green exercise activities also improve self-esteem and negative mood subscales, such as tension, anger and depression.”  Many outdoor enthusiasts, don’t need a science white paper to tell them this.  Have you ever noticed that the guy who walks in nature a few times a week doesn’t get pissed off as easy?  His connection with the earth, wind and sun probably has a lot to do with it than you realize.

Man’s Best Friend

The companionship of a dog is unrivaled by any other animal.  Dogs are extremely loyal and owning and caring for one can lead to an extremely deep emotional connection.  Dogs and guys go together like pepperoni and pizza.  A man and his dog can be nearly inseparable.  At some point in your adult male life, you may have to choose between a high maintenance girlfriend and dog.  The dog will most likely win this contest paws down.

But, dogs need to go outside and guess what, you’re going with them.  Taking your dog outside and playing for a half an or so a few times a day will make lifelong bonds.  Not only will the dog be happier and healthier, so will you.  If you can’t commit to this level of care for your dog, you shouldn’t get one.  When nature calls for you best four-legged buddy, you had better go with him/her.  Take your dog outside.

Meet girls.

Getting outdoors is one way to meet new people.  Caveat: Don’t be the creepy guy sitting on the park bench hitting on every girl that walks by.  You’ll probably get put on a registered sex offender list if you do that.  By getting out of your house, apartment, or condo, you have just increased your chances of meeting someone.  You never know who may stop you for directions or to pet your new puppy (*see above).

If your flirting skills are little rusty, here are some tips.  Don’t stare.  Think before you speak, and listen more than you talk.  Avoid time vampires.  Keep your phone in your pocket (see above).  Be yourself, and one with your outdoor environment, and you may surprise yourself with a new level on confidence.  Remember, chicks dig confident guys.

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