How much does our environment influence our behaviors, feelings, and health? We argue significantly and it plays a part in getting us adventure ready.
Have you heard about the relationship between a clean desk and productivity? To list a couple of benefits, a clean desk can improve focus and creativity. Doesn’t that thought make tidying up appealing? Well at least more appealing?
The kitchen is another room in our houses that may illustrate the relationship between our spaces and our behavior. If you stock your kitchen with unhealthy and ultra processed foods, then your health will be negatively impacted. How much easier is it to be healthy when you only have healthy foods to eat? Buy accordingly.
A more compelling example may be the positive benefits of being outdoors on our health. The increasing number of scientific studies illustrating the immunity boost humans receive from being outdoors should intrigue you enough to consider making regularly scheduled camping trips a family ritual. We know this isn’t new knowledge but science is confirming what some ancient cultures have preached all along.
Intentionally creating physical space in your life can help bring calm and clarity. Honestly, it’s a critical part of any adventure quest. You can have multiple spaces for different reasons. It can be a haven, a place you go to feel grounded when things feel frenetic, or it can be a place of inspiration that you visit when you need a spark.
The spaces we inhabit can influence our moods for better or worse. Take note of what you want to accomplish, then reflect on whether or not the places you spend the most time are encouraging you or discouraging you on your quest.
Adventures require focus, clarity, and preparation. Living in spaces with the potential to facilitate these concepts is of critical importance. If it’s taking you longer than you anticipated to complete a project, maybe your environment needs modifying. Experiment with your environment and slowly create a living space that not only brings you joy but empowers you. Make your living space an asset not a hindrance.
Let’s read a little bit about Katherine’s physical spaces:
“I love to be outdoors in nature, especially in a forest. The wind whistles through the trees, birds fly and sing, this is my inspiration space. When that is not available though sitting outside on our deck in the morning with a cup of coffee or Joey is a great second option. When I’m inside I like to spend my time in an organized environment (though it feels rare when that’s the case) filled with memories and tools to spend time together. My favorite teapot, wine glasses, and tons of kid art.”
Question Corner
Here are a couple of questions to ponder this week:
Are there special places you can visit that positively impact your wellbeing?
Does your home have rooms that ground you, or give you a spark of inspiration?
How can you transform your living spaces to be assets in your quest for adventure?
Activity:
Outdoor Challenge
Last month our family did an outdoor challenge where we spent at least SOME time together outside as a family everyday. There were walks in the rain, lots of time at the playground, even an evening watching baseball. Our outdoor challenge is now a habit, spending time together outside is now part of our family’s default setting.
Shockingly, our kids now tell us it’s time to go outside. Whether you are single, have a partner, kids, or no kids, we encourage you to try the outdoor challenge for a month. Check out @wholesome.wholistic on instagram to see our adventures through the outdoor challenge.