Sometimes we need to step away from the stress of our day-to-day lives. The speed things come at us can be like drinking out of a fire hose. The most abundant space that exists is the perfect place to find your balance. There is no need to get creative when looking for somewhere to relax–just visit mother nature.

A breath of crisp, nose-tickling November air could be key to calming down. The stale, overworked air that resides indoors is nothing like the air outdoors that has been freshly breathed by trees. Fresh air can boost oxygen levels in your brain, which boost serotonin levels and make you happier.

In addition to the mental health benefits provided by the outdoors, there are also direct physical health benefits. For example, sunlight provides vitamin D. This vitamin regulates the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body; vitamin D helps to keep your muscles and bones going healthy and strong. 

The simplicity of taking my dog, Bueller, for a walk is tranquil. Nothing really bothers me when it is just my dog and I. Watching the leaves sway in unison with the wind or a bird propel itself across the endless sky is plenty of entertainment.

Nearly half of this green Earth is wilderness ready to be hiked, biked, boated, and explored. Once, while I was in West Virginia, I was hiking with my brothers and we randomly stumbled across a waterfall. It is those moments that make life special. This waterfall was no Niagara Falls, but we found it; that made it special.

Whether you are with someone to share your memories, or you are finding your peace by yourself, it is always calming. Being alone with your thoughts in nature can bring out really great ideas. In just about any situation, with any group of people, it is just better to be outside. 

The tranquility and health benefits of being outside are tremendous, although there is still more to it than that: humans were not created to live indoors. We are supposed to live outside, not within our phone screens. Many of us look to technology as an escape when we have something so much greater. 

The great outdoors is a reset button to clear your mind.

“In the presence of nature, a wild delight runs through the man, in spite of real sorrows.” –Ralph Waldo Emerson