I am a pale hermit. I hate the beach, I hate the wilderness, and I hate sitting outside in my complex's shared courtyard because some of my neighbors are fucking crazy. Plus, just sitting outside doing nothing like my neighbors do is not my idea of a good time. Finally, I burn badly when I'm outside unless i wear SPF 100. My Mediterranean ancestry is so useless.
Having said that, I've started to like the outdoors thanks to doing physical activity (in my case, running) outside. It's not boring like sitting in my courtyard is, and I'm getting all those benefits from being outside. It does make a difference for me. So anecdotally, this article supports what's going on with me.
I am a pale hermit. I hate the beach, I hate the wilderness, and I hate sitting outside in my complex's shared courtyard because some of my neighbors are fucking crazy. Plus, just sitting outside doing nothing like my neighbors do is not my idea of a good time. Finally, I burn badly when I'm outside unless i wear SPF 100. My Mediterranean ancestry is so useless.
I also hate being outside. I take kiddo out there because I know that I should. Don't like being hot, sweating, squinting my eyes 'cause its sunny.
I'm torn, because I really do love nature and being outside in the woods. It was such a big part of my childhood. But then, I hate humid heat and bugs, so...
Yeah, I hate humidity and bugs too, that's why I live in California.
I have a pathological craving for outside. At a restaurant it's a total disappointment if we don't sit outside unless it's freezing cold. I'm always asking to eat dinner outside at home. My favorite thing is just to sit in the sun with a beer and a good book.
But I agree I read the article as more promoting of wilderness than simply outdoors. And I agree that it's better. Probably having so much access to wilderness saved my sanity in college. I felt a lot better living there just for that reason.
Post by penguingrrl on May 29, 2012 9:12:01 GMT -5
We're leaving NYC in a few weeks and I'll be so glad to finally have access to outside. Right now in order to play outside at all we have to have enough time to walk 2 cross-town blocks to the playground, which takes a long time with two walking kids and since the ground is black rubber and the playground is metal is not an option on a hot day. I'm not sure where the nearest grass is to us, but it's not within walking distance, which is depressing as hell. I hate how much of their time my kids spend inside since it's so hard to find outdoor space to play.
Luckily we're going to a small single family home in the suburbs and will finally have a yard to play in. We'll be spending this summer making up for 4 summers stuck mostly inside.
Post by heliocentric on May 29, 2012 10:32:45 GMT -5
I hate the outdoors most of the time. I dislike forests and don't particularly even care much for grass. I much prefer rocky, dry environments or the beach, but that's not the landscape where I live so I am SOL. I also hate dampness.
I hate being hot because I sweat like a pig and it makes my rosacea flare up. I also get super itchy being near plants when I am sweaty and hot. Oh, and I have an irrational hatred of wet leaves and ferns. The result is I'm fairly certain that most natural environments stress me out. I'm ok with being outside in very specific conditions or if I'm sitting on my screened in porch under the ceiling fan with a cocktail and a book.
Are they sure the positive effects are from nature and not from being totally disconnected?
I used to be an outside hater, but the last few years, I love being outside in warmer weather. Granted, I live in northern MI so when I say warm, I am usually talking about temperatures between 70-85 in the summer. I also hate winter, so I can't figure out why I still live here.
Post by meshaliuknits on May 29, 2012 10:49:56 GMT -5
*sits with MrDobs*
I like nature and animals and such and I think it should be conserved yadda yadda, but I'm pretty convinced nature is happier without me in it. I don't camp. I don't like it, it's not fun. Besides, I can't sleep if I don't hear the occasional car drive by with bass thumping and the whir of a siren. One of my friends from HS got married on Mt Hood and we all stayed in a lodge or something up there. Two nights and I barely slept at all. It was awful. Very pretty, but awful.
However, I could live on a beach. If that beach was in a city.
I'm a much bigger fan of outside now that we're in Vegas. I'm so ready for relaxing days in the pool, dinner on the back porch, etc. Dry heat and no bugs FTW. I think the weather here is about perfect.
Post by crazycakes on May 29, 2012 11:18:08 GMT -5
I'm a city girl/country girl hybrid. I ride horses and love being outside, but I have tried to live in the suburbs and the country and I can't stand it. I need all of the things a city has to offer - pedestrian friendly, night life, cultural things to do, etc. I was bored out of my mind in a more rural setting. Luckily we found an area that is in the city (near public transit and walking distance to some of our favorite restaurants) but also close to a horse farm and several parks. This makes it easy for me to spend a decent amount of time outside despite having an 8:30-5 desk job.
But yeah, it's not exactly the kind of "roughing it" outdoorsy stuff I feel like the article is talking about. I have no desire to go camping ever again, honestly.
I'm a much bigger fan of outside now that we're in Vegas. I'm so ready for relaxing days in the pool, dinner on the back porch, etc. Dry heat and no bugs FTW. I think the weather here is about perfect.
I'm a much bigger fan of outside now that we're in Vegas. I'm so ready for relaxing days in the pool, dinner on the back porch, etc. Dry heat and no bugs FTW. I think the weather here is about perfect.
Of all the places my parents have lived, my absolute favorite by a mile was New Mexico. There were many reasons for this, but what you describe above was definitely a factor.
My daughter already loves being outside and she just turned one. I try to take her to the park or on walks as much as possible on the weekends because our backyard is a small concrete patio. I can't wait until we have a home someday with a nice yard. I just hope she continues to love being outdoors as she gets older.
I love being outside. I am not big on tent camping (I want a damn bathroom), but a cabin or RV is A-OK by me. I love being at the beach or out on a boat on a lake. I love walking through the regional park behind our house with the dog. I love the sun and spring summer and fall. I LOATHE winter. If I am inside for too long I get very very antsy.
Let's all move to Vegas! It sounds like my kind of outdoors, honestly. It's too humid here in TN.
I don't know. I spent a number of months on business out there and when it's over 100 degrees ...even without humidity.....it's super uncomfortable. I would also miss the color green and the 4 seasons (even if I whine about winter).
Let's all move to Vegas! It sounds like my kind of outdoors, honestly. It's too humid here in TN.
I don't know. I spent a number of months on business out there and when it's over 100 degrees ...even without humidity.....it's super uncomfortable. I would also miss the color green and the 4 seasons (even if I whine about winter).
Vegas has more seasons than we do in So Cal - our friends used to live there and sent us pics of their snow men I have also been there when the fountain at Ballys was frozen - gets wayyyyy colder there than here!