Before the snow comes, unplug and explore outside

Picture yourself outside on a brilliant autumn day. The leaves are doing their fancy farewell dance. Snow is still plotting its arrival, so this is your golden window before everything turns white and cold. Why not seize that opportunity to bask in the weather instead of doomscrolling?

According to the National Library of Medicine, spending even a moderate lunch hour outside under good weather can significantly boost happiness and mood. Just 15 minutes outside can lift your mood, reduce stress and improve sleep patterns. Whenever you step outside you inhale better air and exhale a bit of life’s tension.

This is backed by nature therapy. Interacting with natural settings helps reduce stress and depression while boosting emotional and social well-being. That crunchy leaf under your foot may be a tiny therapist in disguise.

Now slide off social media and reclaim brain space. An experiment conducted by Northeastern Global News showed that over 35,000 users found emotional well-being improved when people took a short break from Facebook or Instagram. Another experiment by Iowa State University had students limit social media to 30 minutes a day for three weeks, and they reported lower anxiety, depression, loneliness and fear of missing out (FOMO).

Cutting social media use can reduce comparison traps that can lead to anxiety and depression. A digital detox can restore attention span, improve self-perception, reduce eye strain and even ease neck pain from leaning into screens.

Here is your plan.

• Wear sneakers for crunchy leaves.
• Pick a local park or peaceful spot.
• Turn off your phone or put it in airplane mode.
• Walk, breathe and notice all the colors, sounds and smells.
• Return home relaxed and resisting the urge to scroll on social media.

Let the snow wait. Enjoy a few blissful, unfiltered breaths of fresh air before the world turns white and silent. Celebrate the season now and not through a screen.