Did you ever notice that your energy wanes after a few hours indoors? I noticed that when I spend too much time indoors, my brain energy starts going toward things I don’t really care about, and things that are not in line with the way I want to be living my life.

Maybe you can relate to it as well. Many career-oriented people, who practically live in their offices often feel de-motivated, stressed out or find themselves wasted on totally irrelevant activities.

Now I want to ask you – How long ago has it been since the last time you felt a summer’s morning breeze on your face? Or touched the dew on the grass? Or heard the soft chirping of crickets and birds by your window?

Maybe it is time to abandon the stuffiness, heat and noise of a big city and reap all the health benefits of serenity and calm that nature has to offer?

While you are thinking about the answer to this question take time to read the 10 Compelling Reasons to connect with nature and spend more time outdoors:

1. All that sunshine makes you healthy.

Many of us have heard numerous warnings about the dangers of excessive sun exposure, but few people actually know about beneficial properties of the sun. Research has shown that the UVB sun rays are bursting with protective vitamin D, a vital nutrient for our bones, immune system and even for our happiness and well-being. Do not wait any longer! Get outside and D-light in the healthful benefits of the mild, early morning sunshine!

2. The air out there is healthy as well.

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Raised in a meat-eating family, at the age of 14 after watching a program on the ugly truths of the meat industry, I finally decided to become a vegetarian. Changing my meat-loving ways was not as hard as I believed it would be. Surprisingly, the biggest challenge I had to face was my own, normally understanding and supportive parents. They tried everything in their power – from reasoning to trickery – to make me give up my crazy idea of becoming a vegetarian.

Now after having been a vegetarian for years (though, I still eat dairy products and occasionally pastries that contain eggs), my parents have finally made peace with the fact that their daughter will not be seduced by crispy chicken wings or tender pork chops with onion-mushroom sauce.

I am happy to tell you that in all these years of not eating meat I have never developed anemia or any other disease which is attributed to vegetarianism. I am absolutely healthy, feel great and I cannot remember the last time I left the table, feeling stuffed to the point where I can hardly breathe or think.

All that said, I want to tell you up front – the purpose of this article is not to convert you into becoming a vegetarian as well. If you love meat, by all means – eat it. It is your personal choice.

The only thing I ask of you is to keep your mind opened to the idea of reducing the amount of meat you consume daily.

Because there are some convincing health reasons to do it:

1. Lower fat consumption.

Modern farm animals are deliberately fattened up to increase profits. Consequently, the meat we buy in the grocery stores is very high in cholesterol and saturated fats. That is why eating less of it is one of the simplest ways to lower blood cholesterol levels, decrease high blood pressure, and even prevent the risk of stroke – which is, by the way, the second leading cause of death in the world.

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How many of us would like to get fitter? Lose a few extra pounds? Feel better and have more energy? Tone up our belly muscles? Fit in our old clothes and hear our friends exclaim, “Wow! You look great!”?

You have probably guessed where I am heading with all these questions. And you are right! The answer to our dreams about living longer, having more energy, and becoming more attractive and self-confident lies in one rather plain word – “exercise”.

There is no way around it. If you want to have a toned, healthy and amazing-looking body, sitting in front of the computer all day and pressing buttons of your keyboard, will not get you there. Believe me, I tried. It does not work.

On the other hand, “getting in shape” does not have to be as difficult, sweaty and painful as many of us have come to remember.

It can actually be quite fun, given that you approach your fitness goals with the right attitude, necessary preparation and desire to make it this time.

Here are some of the Fitness principles worth checking out:

1. Start with an attitude.

Many people believe that achieving their fitness goals is about finding the right work-out program, following a special diet or even ordering a magic-pill advertised on TV. In my experience transforming your body is more about attitude than anything else. Because if you believe that you do not have time/will power/motivation to stick with your fitness goals you will be the one to sabotage your success. And no trainer or slimming pill will change that.

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