Like other people in the modern world, caregivers tend to spend most of their time indoors, often involved with the apps on their phones.
Overall, American adults spend more than 90 percent of their time indoors, and 58 percent report that they spend too much time on their phones, according to a Gallup poll.
Dr. John La Puma, who recently published a book about the problem titled Indoor Epidemic, argues that when people spend so much time indoors, their nervous systems, metabolisms, and circadian rhythms are disrupted, which can create sleep problems, chronic stress, and low energy. He calls time on our phones “ultraprocessed time,” and he says it is “engineered for convenience, compulsion and stimulation, not for nourishment.”
Even spending 20 minutes a day in nature can make a difference, according to one Nature.com study. Living in greener urban areas lowers a resident’s probability of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, and mental distress. In addition, people self-report that both their health and well-being are higher with more time in nature.
Morning light in particular is vital, according to a Psychology Today article, because this light regulates our circadian rhythm—the internal clock connected to sleep, hormone patterns, and alertness.
If you’re thinking that your life is too busy to spend extra time in nature, here are simple ideas to get you started:
1) Enjoy the Mornings
One of the easiest and best times to get outside is the morning. Even a few minutes standing in the sunlight outside your front door can be beneficial. So, consider your morning routine. Could you take a few minutes outdoors to enjoy your coffee? Would your loved one be open to a walk around the block to start the day? Experiment with something easy and doable. If you can’t safely leave your loved one, remember that opening a window and breathing fresh air while looking at the sky counts.
2) Stop to Smell the Flowers
If you tend to rush from errand to errand, take your time and look around instead. While wheeling your loved one to a doctor’s appointment, check out the dandelions growing in the sidewalk cracks and pick one to enjoy together. Pause for a moment in the parking lot to listen to the birds chirping and see if you both can spot one through the car window. Check out a tree that you pass and wonder at its unique characteristics. Nature is all around you, and noticing it feels good.
3) Put Away Your Phone
It may feel like you’re leaving a limb behind, but keeping your phone at home while walking in the backyard or strolling along your street can help your mind reset. The sounds and sights of the outdoors provide a pleasant diversion as your mind wanders in an almost meditative way. People inevitably come home from even a short walk feeling refreshed and happier. How often can you say the same about time with your phone?
Thank you for reading, be well, and please share with a friend.
All my best, KK
We are grateful to have been helping caregivers in need for over 10 years thanks to the support of the many generous and caring friends who have helped make a difference in so many lives.
Please consider donating to the Kathi Koll Foundation so you can help make a difference in struggling family caregivers’ lives. Thank you!