It’s high time the great outdoors are recognized as a luxurious break from our busy day-to-day lives. According to WGSN, hiking will replace yoga as the “it” fitness tool, allowing us to disconnect from the hustle and reconnect with ourselves. Boasting benefits like increased creativity and a lowered risk of depression, this nature-forward activity is increasingly becoming a necessity for balance in our fast-paced, screen-dominated world.
Hiking is no longer just for the uber-crunchy set due to its sharable aspects of adventuring — both IRL and online. Taking a hike and exploring outside is an easy way to catch up with old friends and allows for quality time with loved ones. Also, let’s face it: off-the-grid adventures are incredibly Instagrammable.
Spending solo time outdoors should be on your to-do list, too. A study by Stanford found that nature can have a positive effect on human emotion, actually making us feel better. Since natural settings are conducive to positive mental wellness, it’s the perfect backdrop for self-care.
Here are some ways to spend solo time outdoors:
Planting or gardening: Start small. Even potting a few plants or beginning a mini garden can be extremely rewarding.
Take walk or hike: Make it a routine. Pencil in a stroll during your lunch break or directly after work to make your time outside a priority.
Create something: Just for you. Allow yourself time to pause, acknowledge, and appreciate your surroundings by way of sketching, journaling, or photography. And no, you don’t have to Instagram it. You do you.
The purifying properties of plants aren’t limited to outdoor exploration. There are many plants that have been proven to remove air pollutants indoors, too.
Here’s a short list of some of our favorite detoxifying plants:
Aloe Vera: This soothing plant is believed to purify air of toxins such as formaldehyde.
Areca Palm: Indoor palms are more than just a trend on your Instagram feed. This plant has been proven to be especially effective at ridding the air of formaldehyde. It also brings hydration into your home, acting as a natural humidifier.
Spider Plant: This easy-to-care-for plant will add green to your space while cleansing your home of formaldehyde, carbon monoxide, and xylene.
Rubber Plant: This popular plant is known to filter common air pollutants such as formaldehyde. Warning: this plant may require a more experienced green thumb.
Peace Lily: In addition to its fragrant, beautiful flowers, this plant boasts removal properties of ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and trichloroethylene.
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