With so many of us looking to combat social media addiction and escape the digital world, there has never been a better time to get back to nature. There are around 3.03 billion people on social media today. That's almost half the world's population. This fast-moving stream of information that demands your attention has caused our attention spans to decrease to just 8 seconds. This constant barrage of data can cause an increase in heart palpitations, anxiety and stress. It's no wonder more and more people are looking for ways to have a "digital detox" and get some perspective in a world that never seems to slow down.
Here are 7 activities you can do to find a better balance in your life and enjoy yourself without your smartphone.
Hiking is a fantastic way to literally get away from the hustle and bustle. It also helps fight anxiety and depression. You can set goals for distance and achieve them at your own pace, which is great for your mental wellbeing as well as your physical fitness.
Hiking and walking is also very accessible. You don't need to scale a mountain or brave the woods of a national park to feel the benefits. Simply buy yourself a decent pair of walking boots and take a stroll into town. Walk, rather than drive, if you need to run an errand and you'll feel the benefits of walking that fits easily into your daily life.
Fishing is an ancient activity that has persisted, despite the fact that we don't need to hunt for our dinner. The reason for this is simple: think about who taught you to fish.
Most people are taught to fish by a family member, who learned it from the previous generation in a tradition that goes back as far as anyone can remember. Spending time with your family, learning and teaching each other to fish, promotes feelings of security and well-being. It strengthens family bonds and creates lasting memories. Who knows? You might even catch something!
Fishing is also more active than you might think. Depending on the type of fishing you do, you can burn around 200 calories an hour. And, as anyone who has ever tried to land a pike into a boat, make sure to check cleaner for your boat, will tell you, fishing is great for balance and core strength. It's quite the workout!
Geocaching is a more benevolent use of technology, allowing us to categorize our world for the future. It's a fun and active type of treasure hunting that can easily make you forget how far you're walking. If walking a hiking path isn't your thing, you might find geo-caching more rewarding.
Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor exploration that is going on all the time, all around the world. To join in, simply download the Geocaching app to navigate to cleverly hidden container called geocaches. There are millions of geocaches in 190 countries waiting to be discovered and they can help you discover more about the world that's right on your doorstep.
If you want your rewards to be a little more tangible than miles walked, give geocaching a try. For example, if you're in New York, try Central Park's multi-cache. It takes you all over the park in a fascinating exploration of the bridges and arches that are hidden in the park and gives you an insight into their history.
Like fishing, this is an ancient activity that's often passed down through the family. Popular in Europe, foraging is a lovely walk with some delicious rewards.
You can learn all about your local flora thanks to books and local knowledge and enjoy the bounty of nature, from berries and fruit to nuts and mushrooms. Take care, of course! Not everything out there is edible or safe, but by developing your knowledge of local plant life, you'll find this a rewarding and engaging outdoor activity that can help you get back in touch with nature. If you're nervous about picking things, capture them forever with a camera and develop your photography skills.
Explore the waterways and let your troubles float away on the river. Rafting or kayaking helps you see the world from a new perspective, following the course of the river through woods and hills. Rhythmic actions, such as paddling, help put you into an almost meditative state, which can help you become as calm as the lake you're on. Unlike other outdoor activities, this really isn't phone-friendly because your hands are always full so make sure to store your personal belongings in a dry bag and wear a waterproof rain jacket. So, even if you were tempted to check Instagram, you physically can't.
For those who find inner peace in something that occupies the mind, take the plunge with some white water rafting. Whether solo or in a group, this exhilarating, fast-paced activity is thrilling and extremely rewarding.
Getting away from social media and the bustle of everyday life doesn't have to be a solo endeavor. Group activities like airsoft or paintballing help keep you fit and strengthen bonds with people you can trust – your teammates. Work together to achieve a common goal using skill and strategy to give your mind a workout, as well as your body.
While slightly more expensive than other outdoor activities, due to the equipment, these outdoor activities could just be the escape you need to channel your energy constructively.
If you have a million things to think about and wish you could learn how to focus on just one thing, try rock climbing. This is an outdoor activity with a single goal: climb the obstacle.
While you're climbing, you have to become single-minded and focus only on that one goal. If you lose focus, you could slip and come tumbling back down. Make sure to practice safety and use carabiners to support you. Learning to focus on one thing at a time and finish a task before starting on the next one is a skill that is invaluable in a world where so much is vying for your attention.
Rock climbing also helps develop muscles in your body that are often underutilized. As a result, you'll ache like crazy afterward, but you'll gradually develop your fitness in a way that's much more fun than lifting weights. Whether you need the distraction of physical exercise or the peace and quiet of the great outdoors, one of the best ways to escape the demands of the digital world is to get out there and get active. Life gets tough and sometimes to the best thing to do is to step away, find your center and get some perspective. And giving your body some love at the same time is a great bonus!
The article was produced in collaboration with Socom Tactical, a leading online airsoft retailer.
Here are 7 activities you can do to find a better balance in your life and enjoy yourself without your smartphone.
1. Hiking & Walking
Hiking is a fantastic way to literally get away from the hustle and bustle. It also helps fight anxiety and depression. You can set goals for distance and achieve them at your own pace, which is great for your mental wellbeing as well as your physical fitness.
Hiking and walking is also very accessible. You don't need to scale a mountain or brave the woods of a national park to feel the benefits. Simply buy yourself a decent pair of walking boots and take a stroll into town. Walk, rather than drive, if you need to run an errand and you'll feel the benefits of walking that fits easily into your daily life.
2. Fishing
Fishing is an ancient activity that has persisted, despite the fact that we don't need to hunt for our dinner. The reason for this is simple: think about who taught you to fish.
Most people are taught to fish by a family member, who learned it from the previous generation in a tradition that goes back as far as anyone can remember. Spending time with your family, learning and teaching each other to fish, promotes feelings of security and well-being. It strengthens family bonds and creates lasting memories. Who knows? You might even catch something!
Fishing is also more active than you might think. Depending on the type of fishing you do, you can burn around 200 calories an hour. And, as anyone who has ever tried to land a pike into a boat, make sure to check cleaner for your boat, will tell you, fishing is great for balance and core strength. It's quite the workout!
3. Geocaching
Geocaching is a more benevolent use of technology, allowing us to categorize our world for the future. It's a fun and active type of treasure hunting that can easily make you forget how far you're walking. If walking a hiking path isn't your thing, you might find geo-caching more rewarding.
Geocaching is a real-world, outdoor exploration that is going on all the time, all around the world. To join in, simply download the Geocaching app to navigate to cleverly hidden container called geocaches. There are millions of geocaches in 190 countries waiting to be discovered and they can help you discover more about the world that's right on your doorstep.
If you want your rewards to be a little more tangible than miles walked, give geocaching a try. For example, if you're in New York, try Central Park's multi-cache. It takes you all over the park in a fascinating exploration of the bridges and arches that are hidden in the park and gives you an insight into their history.
4. Foraging
Like fishing, this is an ancient activity that's often passed down through the family. Popular in Europe, foraging is a lovely walk with some delicious rewards.
You can learn all about your local flora thanks to books and local knowledge and enjoy the bounty of nature, from berries and fruit to nuts and mushrooms. Take care, of course! Not everything out there is edible or safe, but by developing your knowledge of local plant life, you'll find this a rewarding and engaging outdoor activity that can help you get back in touch with nature. If you're nervous about picking things, capture them forever with a camera and develop your photography skills.
5. Rafting
Explore the waterways and let your troubles float away on the river. Rafting or kayaking helps you see the world from a new perspective, following the course of the river through woods and hills. Rhythmic actions, such as paddling, help put you into an almost meditative state, which can help you become as calm as the lake you're on. Unlike other outdoor activities, this really isn't phone-friendly because your hands are always full so make sure to store your personal belongings in a dry bag and wear a waterproof rain jacket. So, even if you were tempted to check Instagram, you physically can't.
For those who find inner peace in something that occupies the mind, take the plunge with some white water rafting. Whether solo or in a group, this exhilarating, fast-paced activity is thrilling and extremely rewarding.
6. Airsoft & Paintball
Getting away from social media and the bustle of everyday life doesn't have to be a solo endeavor. Group activities like airsoft or paintballing help keep you fit and strengthen bonds with people you can trust – your teammates. Work together to achieve a common goal using skill and strategy to give your mind a workout, as well as your body.
While slightly more expensive than other outdoor activities, due to the equipment, these outdoor activities could just be the escape you need to channel your energy constructively.
7. Rock Climbing
If you have a million things to think about and wish you could learn how to focus on just one thing, try rock climbing. This is an outdoor activity with a single goal: climb the obstacle.
While you're climbing, you have to become single-minded and focus only on that one goal. If you lose focus, you could slip and come tumbling back down. Make sure to practice safety and use carabiners to support you. Learning to focus on one thing at a time and finish a task before starting on the next one is a skill that is invaluable in a world where so much is vying for your attention.
Rock climbing also helps develop muscles in your body that are often underutilized. As a result, you'll ache like crazy afterward, but you'll gradually develop your fitness in a way that's much more fun than lifting weights. Whether you need the distraction of physical exercise or the peace and quiet of the great outdoors, one of the best ways to escape the demands of the digital world is to get out there and get active. Life gets tough and sometimes to the best thing to do is to step away, find your center and get some perspective. And giving your body some love at the same time is a great bonus!
The article was produced in collaboration with Socom Tactical, a leading online airsoft retailer.