Feeling tired and stressed recently? This global CEO has a recommendation for you! [Fridays: Mindfulness by Miles]
Miles Everson’s Business Builder Daily speaks to the heart of what great marketers, business leaders, and other professionals need to succeed in advertising, communications, managing their investments, career strategy, and more.
A Note from Miles Everson:
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I’ve been staying indoors most of the time. I make sure to follow the safety protocols to keep not only myself but also my entire family safe.
While staying at home is great because it enables me to know my family better and spend more time with them, I sometimes can’t help but feel tired of being confined in the comfort of my home. I’m wired to go out, interact with other people, and see something new as much as I can.
That’s why now that the world is opening up after 2 years of lockdowns, travel restrictions, etc., I make sure to plan at least one weekend getaway per month. One of those getaways?
Spending time in the great outdoors!
Keep reading to know why dedicating at least an hour or two being around nature is important and why this activity is necessary to make you happier, healthier, and more productive.
Miles Everson
CEO, MBO Partners
Chairman of the Advisory Board, The I Institute
Mindfulness by Miles
Spending some time in nature is a good remedy to stress.
The greenery…
The fresh breeze…
The warm rays of the sun…
These are some of the things that make up a great day outdoors. Immersing yourself in this kind of environment every once in a while not only helps reduce your stress levels but also lets you unwind and feel happy.
—
According to a report led by the University of Exeter, people who spend at least 2 hours in nature per week are healthier than those who don’t go outside at all.
In the words of Dr. Mat White, the social psychologist who led the University of Exeter Medical School’s study:
“It is well known that getting outdoors in nature can be good for people’s health and well-being but until now, we’ve not been able to say how much is enough. Two hours a week is hopefully a realistic target for many people, especially given that it can be spread over an entire week to get the benefit.”
Miles Everson, CEO of MBO Partners, says even though he is not an expert in science or on how the human body operates, he personally feels that nature has a way of refreshing him every time he goes out for a walk, talks with neighbors, etc.
For him, going out is literally a breath of fresh air! Whenever he spends some time outdoors, he comes back home feeling renewed of his strength and more motivated to do his tasks.
How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health
Everson has a concern regarding most people’s lifestyles nowadays:
Today, a lot of people live in a domesticated environment. By “domesticated,” he means many spend their typical days getting up in the morning, getting dressed, driving to work, sitting in an office cubicle, driving back home, making dinner, watching some shows on TV, then going to bed.
… and the cycle repeats.
Especially now that the pandemic has happened, the environment―even homes―has become more domesticated.
According to Everson, while there’s nothing wrong with working hard and having a daily routine, you should also loosen up sometimes and give yourself a chance to relax and reconnect with nature and others.
He says this moment of unwinding and refreshment is essential because humans are social beings.
Sure, you might not want to go out most of the time nowadays because you want to stay safe from COVID-19, but Everson believes that’s where the trouble lies.
This setup can make you feel like you’ve lost a sense of freedom—of being able to go out, interact with others, and reconnect with nature.
That’s why Everson is a huge proponent of spending some time in the great outdoors, especially if you are feeling weary and would want to renew your strength.
He says this doesn’t mean ignoring the fact that the coronavirus still exists. What he means is you can still have your social life and overall well-being intact while also observing proper health and safety protocols.
Here are some of his tips to get more of nature into your daily life:
- Appreciating the local outdoor scenery in your community.
According to the University of Exeter’s study, even visiting green spaces within 2 miles from your home has a lot of health benefits.
This means even if you’re just going to a local park where there are lots of plants, you can still experience refreshment and a better outlook throughout the day.
- Taking a daily walk outdoors.
Spending at least half an hour outdoors every day will help you achieve a two-hours-with-nature quota per week.
So, push yourself to wake up early and go out for a walk. Everson says this will not only allow you to spend time in nature and with friends but also make you healthier and more physically active.
- Eating outside the home—maybe in a front porch, backyard, garden, etc.
Instead of eating your meals at your usual closed and cemented space, why not try eating outside where the view is great?
“Great” as in there are lots of plants and nature.
Spending time in nature while eating is a way to calm your nerves and relax. Everson says if you do this during your lunch break at work, you’ll see how this will positively impact your performance for the latter half of your shift.
- Paying attention to “fractals.”
According to Everson, fractals are the patterns that repeat over and over again in small magnification.
… and since these things are often menial, people tend to disregard these patterns in their usually busy lives.
But, there’s no harm in trying to pay attention to fractals, right?
You may do this by taking time to look up at clouds passing by or observing tree branches swaying along with the breeze.
As mentioned in University of Exeter’s study, paying attention to fractals helps decrease stress levels by up to 60%.
- Trying forest bathing.
Forest bathing means immersing yourself in nature, ideally by taking a stroll under a canopy of trees.
… and just like a regular bath in the shower, this activity has numerous benefits such as:
- Lower stress levels
- Improved mood
- Increased energy and productivity
Forest bathing is one of Everson’s favorite outdoor activities. He says this truly does wonders in making him feel better and more energetic.
We hope you find Everson’s tips helpful and compelling!
Don’t let your busy schedule or the pandemic hinder you from spending some time in nature. Everson believes everyone needs to go outdoors every once in a while to keep their sanity amid the ongoing health crisis and other events that are happening in the world.
So… prepare yourself, and plan your trips and other outdoor activities! Start incorporating a weekly or monthly getaway in nature into your schedule.
This activity will significantly help in renewing and refreshing your mind, body, and spirit.
“I go to nature to be soothed, healed, and have my senses put in order.”
– John Burroughs, an American naturalist who was active in the conservation movement in the US during the 19th century
(This article is from The Business Builder Daily, a newsletter by The I Institute in collaboration with MBO Partners.)
About The Dynamic Marketing Communiqué’s
“Fridays: Mindfulness by Miles”
High-performance businesses are run by people who think and act differently.
In other words, these are people who are high-performing individuals.
Companies and individuals of this kind have found ways to escape the grind of commoditization and competition by focusing on the RIGHT goals.
High-performing businesses and individuals are also “return driven” businesses and “career driven” individuals. They conscientiously develop unique capabilities and resources that allow them to deliver offerings in ways no other firm or individual can.
Every Friday, we’ll publish tips and insights from MBO Partners and The I Institute’s “The Business Builder Daily” newsletter.
These will help you gain knowledge on the things that Miles Everson, the CEO of MBO Partners, often talks about regarding the future of the workforce.
We’ll also highlight other mindfulness advice on how you can be a high-performing individual both in your career and personal life.
Hope you’ve found this week’s insight interesting and helpful.
Stay tuned for next Friday’s “Mindfulness by Miles!”
Cheers,
Kyle Yu
Head of Marketing
Valens Dynamic Marketing Capabilities
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