True confessions time: I have never enjoyed camping. 

It’s not something my family ever did growing up.  The closest we ever got was borrowing a camper van from my dad’s boss for a road trip to Ohio.  Unfortunately, the septic system got backed up in Effingham, Illinois, so we wound up staying in a Super 8 motel because, as advertised, the rooms were just $8.88 per night.  To this day, I think my mother secretly sabotaged the whole operation to avoid the bug infestation that would have inevitably materialized when one of us weaselly kids left the passenger door open at night.

Note: I take after my mother.

Still, while I may be a decidedly “indoorsy” person, I cannot deny that being in nature is good for me. “Touching grass” for even a short period of time is shown to lower cortisol levels, lower blood pressure, and calm the nervous system.  Even though I haven’t measured these levels myself, I do know that if I am stressed and anxiously working at my computer, something miraculous happens when I take even a five minute break to go stand on the back deck and listen to the wind.

So, here is your irritating reminder.  If you are staring at a screen right now, and feeling the least bit stressed, take a brief break and go touch grass.

Your body, mind and spirit will thank you.