Hello everyone, I hope all is well with you. I’m back today after a week of work and writing. I didn’t run as often this week because it’s getting dark earlier. Winter is coming, and soon I’ll be running indoors again.
That’s what I’d like to talk about today. Running indoors. We’ve become the indoor generation. We exercise indoors. We work indoors, and we socialize and play indoors. Did you know that our air inside our homes can be more toxic than the air outside?
We don’t get outside enough. We need fresh air, sunshine, and to be out in nature. We’re like plants with complicated emotions. Did you know that the depression rate is skyrocketing, particularly among women and young adults. Could this, at least in part, be due to the fact we don’t get outside enough?
I know when I’m dealing with a tough issue a walk in the woods relaxes me. The trees emit phytocides that also strengthen our immune system. So, walking through the woods is good for us both mentally and physically.
We get vitamin D from the sun. Vitamin D is an excellent natural source that fights depression and anxiety. Americans are less healthy than we were ten years ago. In a recent study conducted in 2019 88% of American are metabolically unhealthy. The fact we’ve become the inside generation is not the cause of this, but it is a factor. We’re not getting the Vitamin D we need because we’re not in the sun enough. I know we can take supplements, but I don’t believe taking a pill takes the place of what our bodies are meant to do naturally.
We pay so much for health care, but still have a lower life expectancy than other countries. Why is that? Being the inside generation is one piece of the puzzle. The other side of it is our diet.
Our diet contains so much sugar. Especially in our processed foods. Did you know manufacturers add sugar to the foods they produce so we’ll buy it? Because it tastes good. Increased amounts of sugar lead to obesity and diabetes.
Couple that with the fact we don’t get enough exercise and the fact we’re inside so much, we can see where this leads to poor health.
So, let’s get outside more. Let’s get moving. Let’s eat healthier. We need to set a better example for our young people. Let’s get them away from their devices and get them outside. How about you? Do you feel we’ve become the inside generation? What changes do we need to make? Leave a comment! I’d love to hear from you!