They say spending time in nature can change your life. But in a world packed with indoor life pressures, how can you make getting outside just a part of who you are?
Welcome to the Humans Outside podcast, where we explore life in the great outdoors from our perch in Alaska, all while hearing from fascinating outdoor-minded guests.
How do you handle zero-fun outdoor time? Push through and get the goal anyway before calling it quits? Wrap it up and head back to the car? Beat yourself up about quitting? Know that it’s OK?
This week on a mountain adventure with a few friends I found myself having a zero fun time. It just didn’t feel right. And I was big done. So what did I do?
Listen now.
[:46] OK, so I like a challenge
[:59] But even I have to draw a line
[1:55] So I started trying to work with my nervous system
[2:48] But you know what? No.
[3:44] Here’s the permission we didn’t need but we have anyway
How well do you know the outdoor areas near your home? I don’t just mean the obvious spots, I mean all of the spaces.
And what would happen if you took the time to truly and deeply explore them?
That’s something British adventurer and author Alastair Humphreys set out to discover as part of a personal project that turned into his new book, Local. Dividing the region into one-kilometer grid squares, Alastair systematically experienced all of the outdoor spaces near his urban home, and in the process became not only more familiar with where he lived, but also grew a deep appreciation for the nature around him found in some of the most unlikely places.
In this episode you’ll hear all about Alastair’s truly local adventure, plus some of the simple benefits of taking time to enjoy everything — the good, the bad, the ugly and the beautiful — that nature has for you close to home.
Listen now!
[3:08] Alastair Humphrey’s favorite outdoor space
[4:02] Alastair’s outdoor story
[5:46] What “Local” is about — project and book
[8:37] What is “nearby nature?”
[10:35] For the record, I don’t have this outside my window
[11:38] What did Alastair find during his project that surprised him?
[15:21] Embracing technology to make outside time better
[17:59] The inspiration to fix problems
[21:55] A mind shift to gratitude and curiosity
[26:12] Taking the time for adventures big and small
[28:36] How anyone can get started on a project like Local
[34:03] Alistair’s favorite outdoor moment
If you’ve been keeping your outdoor habit for awhile just like me, you might be looking for a way to give it a little boost. Or maybe you’re new to this, but want to add a little spice or specific outings to your outdoor life.
If that’s you, this easy new outdoor habit I’m trying this year is probably the perfect fit. It’s a simple, low time commitment and interesting option and I can’t wait to see how it goes over the coming months.
Want to join me? Learn all about it in this episode of Humans Outside. Listen now!
[:28] I was worried about getting stuck in a rut
[:54] I was curious about forest bathing
[1:22] And then I heard this idea from Alastair Humphries — brilliant!
[2:19] How I picked my own version
[3:24] Here’s what I picked
[4:05] Here’s what I did while I was there
[5:04] You should do this, too!
One of my favorite things I’ve gained from heading outside every day? The discovery that I have an incredibly useful superpower.
No, it’s not x-ray vision, time travel or flying, which is a bummer because those would all be very cool. It’s a move power — the power to make myself do things I don’t want to do. And you cannot imagine how helpful this superpower is in all sorts of circumstances.
I think you have a superpower, too. Let’s figure out what it is.
Listen now!
[:35] I was here when I remembered my superpower
[1:14] This is my superpower and why I love it
[2:35] I think you have a superpower, too — here’s what it might be
[3:29] Why these superpowers matter
If new habits or a wellness practice refresh is on your mind, you’re in good company. The start of a new year or new season often feels like the perfect time for a refresh.
But if you’re going to squeeze in a new helpful habit or practice, you might need to phase out an old, less-helpful one. And that’s easy to say, but hard to do.
In this episode of Humans Outside, wellness coach and habit expert Sarah Hays Coomer walks us through how to build good habits and get rid of old ones while talking through practical examples of how to make it happen.
Listen now!
[2:54] Sarah Hays Coomer’s favorite outdoor space
[4:28] How Sarah became someone who likes to go outside
[7:12] A little bit on the nuts and bolts of habits
[9:29] Some practical habit building
[14:41] The seasons of habits
[18:20] The cruel irony of flexibility vs. consistency
[19:30] Why some habits are hard to break
[22:23] What a growth mindset has to do with it
[24:00] The curiosity factor
[28:30] Microdosing wellness
[31:00] Fitting in the stuff you know you like even when the internet calls your name
[34:18] Breaking out of a ‘bad’ habit
[37:16] You really do have time
[39:52] Sarah’s favorite outdoor moment
Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. The following is an edited transcript of this episode of Humans
Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. The following is an edited transcript of this episode of Humans
Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts or wherever you find your favorite podcasts. The following is an edited transcript of this episode of Humans