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Writer's pictureMadelin

Do Nothing Outside: simple habits to improve mental health

I think recently, we’ve all accepted that our mental health is never going to be very good. It’s hard to go a day without hearing or seeing some joke where the punchline lies in our collective lack of will to live. I for one am sick of it. I’ve spent my whole life struggling with my own mental health and watching my friends and family struggle with there’s. The jokes might be funny, but the lived reality is not. Mental health destroys families, fuels drug epidemics, and takes lives. Now, I’m not much of a mental health expert, but I do care a lot about the people around me.


I spent a long time very disconnected from the world around me, both the human and the natural worlds. It was only once I learned to live my life in the nature first and build my career, home, and hobbies around it that I managed to break from my spiral and improve my mental health for good. And the biggest step was learning how to take all the time I spent doing nothing inside, and move it outside.


I learned to do this through the teachings of the people around me (though I have no doubt few of them would think of themselves as teachers). I don’t know where you are in life or what your life looks like, but I’ve compiled this list to try and give you some inspiration to get outside and enjoy the fresh air without committing to a hike or sacrificing you favourite lazy hobbies.


1. Read a book

Don’t lie to me, I know read more was on your list of New Year’s resolutions just like I know you havent actually read more this year. Well, its never too late to start. From the hammock you’re about to set up in your backyard, to the beach, to the patio, to a particularly inviting patch of moss in the forest, there are tons of great places to read a book outside. My favourite place is in the sun away from people but if you decide to try it out, don’t forget the sunscreen!


2. Watch your favourite show

Hey! Did you know there’s no law about where you watch TV? It used to be that you needed a giant box of wires and a plug to tune into your favourite show but now, with phones, tablets, streaming services, and the incredible power of 5G you can literally do whatever you want and no one can stop you. And if you don’t want to waste half your data watching Dexter up a mountain, don’t worry! Most steaming services will let you download their shows and movies for offline streaming!


3. Take a nap

Okay this one might seem a bit weird, and I definitely advise caution when choosing your spot, as well as a ton of sunscreen, but cats had it right when they invented napping in the sun. Have you noticed they haven’t done anything since? It’s like when the Irish invented Whisky, why bother with anything else when you’ve already reached enlightenment? I fell in love with napping in the sun last summer

Cat napping in the sun

when I spent every Sunday getting lost in the forests and beaches of Haida Gwaii. There is nothing like a fishnet hammock, a sandy beach, or a solid patch of moss for an amazing nap. I recommend finding a nap buddy, taking some bear spray, and setting out the biggest, thickest picnic blanket you can find.


4. Doomscroll

Turns out you can bring your bad habits outside too! Have you ever found yourself sprawled on the sofa, mindlessly scrolling through instagram, knowing simultaneously that you should put it down and do something with your day but that you also are definitely not going to. Might I suggest cracking and beer and setting up in your backyard with the world’s cheapest, comfiest reclining lawn chair and just giving in?


Girl on the phone outside
5. Call a friend

Surprise call from a friend? Haven’t caught up in months? She’s gone through three men and a Guatemalan marine since you last spoke? Yeah this is gonna be a long call, throw on your shoes and skip down to the park, I promise the tea will be just as scalding.




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