Get Off Your Laptop, Now!

April 30, 2024

In our digitally-dominated era, it’s all too easy to find ourselves living a life more virtual than real. We order our needs from Amazon, work remotely, and increasingly, live our leisure time through screens. And this is especially true as a video production company. But the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) highlights a startling fact: the average person in developed countries now spends about 93% of their time indoors. That’s a figure that makes you pause, doesn’t it? Suddenly, the term ‘cave dwellers’ doesn’t just apply to our ancestors. So we think it’s time we reconsider our indoor-centric lifestyles, and venture back into the wilderness.

This indoor lifestyle is a far cry from our ancestral past, where humans lived in close harmony with the wilderness, relying on it for sustenance, shelter, and the very essence of their being. Don’t get us wrong– we couldn’t live without our iPhones either. But the contrast between then and now serves as a powerful reminder of how much our daily routines have evolved, often at the expense of our physical and mental well-being.

That in mind– venturing outdoors is not merely an escape; it’s a return to our roots, and it offers profound benefits for our health.

The concept of a “nature pyramid,” akin to the familiar food pyramid, provides a useful analogy. It suggests a balanced ‘diet’ of natural settings is essential for our well-being, encouraging us to seek out daily doses of green spaces, regular outdoor activities, and occasional immersive experiences in nature. This framework reminds us that, like a varied diet, varied experiences in nature contribute significantly to our overall health.

This is already woven into the fabric of our professional ethos as a video production firm . At Recreation Films, our name itself pays homage to the spirit of adventure and the outdoors. Our team embodies this spirit, each member harboring a passion for outdoor pursuits ranging from fly-fishing to surfing, reflecting a shared belief in the power of nature to inspire and rejuvenate.

Furthermore, the pursuit of outdoor activities fosters a sense of community and belonging that is often missing in our segmented, online lives. Joining a hiking group, participating in community clean-up efforts, or simply sharing a sunset with friends or family, are just a few of many options– but all of them build connections not just with nature, but with each other.

These activities remind us that, despite our technological advancements, we are social beings at heart, thriving on real-world interactions and the shared experiences that bind us.

This communal aspect of outdoor engagement enhances our emotional well-being, enriches our relationships, and strengthens the fabric of our communities, offering a compelling counterpoint to the solitude of the digital age. And while it might seem counterintuitive to hear this from a content creation studio, we’re serious. Go get some fresh air!

And take a look around while you’re at it– you’ll find a million studies that underscore the importance of our connection to the outdoors. A study in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health links green space exposure to reduced stress levels and enhanced well-being, while research from Stanford University demonstrates how walks in nature can decrease rumination and improve cognitive function. These findings bolster the argument for integrating nature into our daily routines, emphasizing that stepping outside is not just beneficial but essential for our mental agility and emotional resilience.

Moreover, the benefits of embracing the outdoors extend beyond personal health, influencing societal well-being and economic health. Access to parks and recreational areas is associated with lower obesity rates and higher levels of physical activity, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). So encouraging a culture that values and promotes outdoor activities could be a key strategy in improving public health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.

At Recreation Films, we’re more than just a creative content studio; we’re a collective of individuals who draw inspiration from the natural world. And as we navigate the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, it’s clear that rekindling our relationship with the outdoors is not just a luxury, but a necessity. Whether it’s for the sake of our health, our community, or the planet, the call to return to nature is one we should all heed.

So, let’s make a collective effort to spend less time within the confines of our modern ‘caves’ and more time exploring the vast, enriching landscapes that await us.

After all, the true essence of life, with its adventures, discoveries, and tranquility, is found not in the glow of a screen, but in the light of the world around us.