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being a professional artist requires I observe all manner of objects, people, and the landscape. It is what I paint! The landscape is my most inspiring thing and the subject of the majority of my artwork.</p><p id="5f83">Give me a few trees to paint or draw, or water rushing around rocks in a creek or river, and I am off and running and completely loose track of time.</p><p id="f6df">I can say the same thing about being outdoors mentally gathering information for those paintings. I lose track of time! Those visual images can resurface if I close my eyes and transport myself back to that time.</p><h2 id="f8a6">But other than an artist, why would being outdoors in nature be good for you?</h2><p id="7f4f">There is no agenda when you walk for pleasure. If you do have one, such as making sure you get exercise or me when gathering painting material ideas, it is a little different. But, I bet the “feel-good” from the outdoor exercise is still positive attitude building for you.</p><p id="d4ca"><b><i>Even a 10 minute time out helps</i></b>, sitting on a park bench … or in your own chair in your backyard can work wonders. Refreshing you and “breathing in” the fresh air is well known factor to make you feel better. And if it is raining, sitting by a window, relaxing in a chair and watching is good also!</p><p id="1bd2"><i>My disclaimer: I have read many articles over the years about the benefits of being outdoors. I cannot quote from scientific studies I am sure are out there about the benefits of slowing down and enjoying time in the fresh air. I just know it works for me.</i></p><p id="9d27">I love listening to the rain, watching the wind blow the trees, and occasional thunder and lightening. So it does not have to be a sunny and warm day to get the same effect. When was the last time you sat and really listened to rain and watched it come down?</p><h2 id="6859">I am out in nature when I paint on location, which is called “plein air.”</h2><p id="b2f2">The French term “en plein air” means “in the open air.” Painting from life is the best teacher. Painting from a photograph is an okay second reference, but you learn way more from real life.</p><p id="7725">If I take my time and really immerse myself in that outdoor activity, I can recall the feelings of the day when I took my photos. Closing my eyes I can transport myself back to that day, and remember the smell, sounds, and temperature to help me with

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using that photograph.</p><p id="c991">And painting from real life indoors such as a live model or still life set up is good too. But refilling the well of my mind and knowing I took time to “stop and smell the roses” is necessary for me.</p><p id="1687">I have photos from my phone, but I have better memories from the walk you see in the above photo. There will be many paintings that benefit from those memories.</p><h2 id="eae5">Why tell you all the above?</h2><p id="6b29">When I am feeling down, or when my body tells me I need a break, I know I need to be outside to clear my mind and find the positive of being in nature.</p><p id="6849">I would bet you cannot tell me a time you felt worse after your time outdoors. Nature is such a beautiful thing most of the time. It is uplifting when there is a slight breeze, the sun is shining, and you can hear the birds chirping. As said above, but saying it again, I have even enjoyed sitting on a porch with the rain coming down and the wind blowing and feel refreshed.</p><h2 id="4706">At the age of 72, I have many words of wisdom!</h2><p id="cf0b">I grew up walking in creeks picking up rocks, climbing trees, building little forts, and leaving trails for my friends to follow. These days, not enough children get to do these things.</p><p id="b0ef">The above is giving the benefit of my years of experience. Knowing I have given of my years to others feels good also.</p><p id="987d">Hear me again … Nature is rejuvenating! Get outside and enjoy it now even if you did not do so as a child.</p><p id="2aed">As an adult, I know I feel better when I stop and enjoy nature for a few minutes.</p><h2 id="3edb">I feel better today.</h2><p id="4b52">I was outside almost all day yesterday. It was work raking leaves off my garden areas. There were little emerging plants that will turn into beautiful flowers in a few weeks. I had to be careful around those.</p><p id="6a21">But I also saw a hummingbird! I heard an owl off in the distance. When I took a break for a few sips of water, I saw a blue bird land on my fence, and then hop to the ground before taking off. Then I hear a hawk and look up to see it glide through our yard from one tree to another one. All good stuff, right?</p><p id="85fd">The yard looks better. I feel better. Good work!</p><p id="0239">Start with just a few minutes outside and build up to a few more.</p><p id="8799">I hope you listen!</p></article></body>

Spending Time Being Outdoors

By enjoying those moments, I refill my well!

My photo of a walk along Sweetwater Creek in Georgia — photo by author and artist Marsha Hamby Savage.

Taking a walk, especially in a more natural setting, is something that fills me with all manner of good feelings and vibes.

It is likely one of the more important activities we can do that may greatly improve your outlook on life.

We hear the following all the time about many different things … but it applies extremely well to these thoughts about spending time outside.

But do make sure one thing is done when you walk … look at everything around you. And listen as well as look! Take in the feeling of the moment, the smells of the outdoors, and let your problems take a back seat.

Be … In … The … Moment!

To help do this, the next thought is a major element.

You see the following advice all the time, but I am going to say it again …

Do not be looking at or talking on your cell phone!

When you look at or talk on your phone, that is not being in the moment. One of the main reasons to take a walk is to get away from all distractions if possible! If you pull out your phone to take a photo of something interesting … let it be for that one activity! Being an artist, I might keep it in a pocket for the occasional photograph like the one above.

Dang cell phones! We can’t live without them it seems, and we fuss all the time about having to live with them.

I believe positive attitude comes from doing more positive things than negative. How on earth can you be negative when you’re out in nature’s beauty? If I am feeling a bit negative at any time, I stop what I am doing if possible and take a look at nature. Negative thoughts do not produce positive outcomes no matter what you are working on.

Most people immediately feel that positive and the negative starts draining away. I know it does that for me. Maybe I have fostered this ability, but I believe you can do it too!

From my standpoint, and that of a creative person … being a professional artist requires I observe all manner of objects, people, and the landscape. It is what I paint! The landscape is my most inspiring thing and the subject of the majority of my artwork.

Give me a few trees to paint or draw, or water rushing around rocks in a creek or river, and I am off and running and completely loose track of time.

I can say the same thing about being outdoors mentally gathering information for those paintings. I lose track of time! Those visual images can resurface if I close my eyes and transport myself back to that time.

But other than an artist, why would being outdoors in nature be good for you?

There is no agenda when you walk for pleasure. If you do have one, such as making sure you get exercise or me when gathering painting material ideas, it is a little different. But, I bet the “feel-good” from the outdoor exercise is still positive attitude building for you.

Even a 10 minute time out helps, sitting on a park bench … or in your own chair in your backyard can work wonders. Refreshing you and “breathing in” the fresh air is well known factor to make you feel better. And if it is raining, sitting by a window, relaxing in a chair and watching is good also!

My disclaimer: I have read many articles over the years about the benefits of being outdoors. I cannot quote from scientific studies I am sure are out there about the benefits of slowing down and enjoying time in the fresh air. I just know it works for me.

I love listening to the rain, watching the wind blow the trees, and occasional thunder and lightening. So it does not have to be a sunny and warm day to get the same effect. When was the last time you sat and really listened to rain and watched it come down?

I am out in nature when I paint on location, which is called “plein air.”

The French term “en plein air” means “in the open air.” Painting from life is the best teacher. Painting from a photograph is an okay second reference, but you learn way more from real life.

If I take my time and really immerse myself in that outdoor activity, I can recall the feelings of the day when I took my photos. Closing my eyes I can transport myself back to that day, and remember the smell, sounds, and temperature to help me with using that photograph.

And painting from real life indoors such as a live model or still life set up is good too. But refilling the well of my mind and knowing I took time to “stop and smell the roses” is necessary for me.

I have photos from my phone, but I have better memories from the walk you see in the above photo. There will be many paintings that benefit from those memories.

Why tell you all the above?

When I am feeling down, or when my body tells me I need a break, I know I need to be outside to clear my mind and find the positive of being in nature.

I would bet you cannot tell me a time you felt worse after your time outdoors. Nature is such a beautiful thing most of the time. It is uplifting when there is a slight breeze, the sun is shining, and you can hear the birds chirping. As said above, but saying it again, I have even enjoyed sitting on a porch with the rain coming down and the wind blowing and feel refreshed.

At the age of 72, I have many words of wisdom!

I grew up walking in creeks picking up rocks, climbing trees, building little forts, and leaving trails for my friends to follow. These days, not enough children get to do these things.

The above is giving the benefit of my years of experience. Knowing I have given of my years to others feels good also.

Hear me again … Nature is rejuvenating! Get outside and enjoy it now even if you did not do so as a child.

As an adult, I know I feel better when I stop and enjoy nature for a few minutes.

I feel better today.

I was outside almost all day yesterday. It was work raking leaves off my garden areas. There were little emerging plants that will turn into beautiful flowers in a few weeks. I had to be careful around those.

But I also saw a hummingbird! I heard an owl off in the distance. When I took a break for a few sips of water, I saw a blue bird land on my fence, and then hop to the ground before taking off. Then I hear a hawk and look up to see it glide through our yard from one tree to another one. All good stuff, right?

The yard looks better. I feel better. Good work!

Start with just a few minutes outside and build up to a few more.

I hope you listen!