Excessive Time Indoors Can Hurt Your Business
Days can go by without my feet touching dirt or grass. You see I live in a condo and the parking is underground. I go down on an elevator and drive to work only to step onto the pavement. I walk across the sidewalk and then down five steps into the office.
There aren't any windows in my office so natural light is pretty well absent.
I didn't like the brightness of fluorescents and many of my clients are less well when they are exposed to them, so I had all the bulbs removed and instead use the soft light from table lamps.
When I am in my therapy office, there are times that without a watch, I really wouldn't have a clue what weather conditions are outside. In fact, there have been times that I walked up the five steps to be surprised that it is snowing, or dark or extremely windy.
Why am I telling you this? Because it is quite common for people in our busy and technological world to lose connection with nature that our forefathers experienced each day.
When we spend hours and hours inside a building without the warmth of the sun or the smell of fresh air, we lose something very valuable. One day rolls into another without much change.
Sometimes individuals are diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder. They do better in the spring and summer but poorly in the winter when sunlight is limited. They are the people who appear to be most affected by changes in nature but, in reality, we all are.
Think about a time from your youth when you would laugh and run outside. Perhaps you were someone who enjoyed fishing or swimming. Picnics on a warm afternoon hold memories that we treasure.
Yes, we value the times that we have had outdoor barbecues, played sports with friends or went bike riding. But, sometimes we forget to schedule these into our day. And the result is, over time, are that we become pale automatons who forget about the beauty of nature. And when we lose our connection with nature, we lose a valuable partner who can help promote health and wellness for you.
But you can make a positive change in this area of life. Perhaps you could walk to work. Maybe you could bring a lawn chair to the office so that you can eat your lunch under a tree. You might even be able to suggest that a meeting be held outdoors.
You see, you do well in your business when you feel well and therefore if you are not able to spend time in the great outdoors you could actually hurt your business.
Start today and make a plan to include having the great outdoors as part of your day - even if it is only for a few minutes!