Emotional Benefits of Being Outside
By: Allison Gilbert
Have you ever heard of “These Foolish Things”? It’s a beautiful song that recounts a long list of sights, sounds, and objects that conjure memories of loved ones who’ve passed away. Take a listen here.
With a nod to this popular song, let’s take a moment to focus on how you might best keep the memory of your spouse, relative, or friend alive.
Here are a few ideas to consider:
Go back to that restaurant you enjoyed together. Return to the hotel. Enjoy your loved one’s favorite meal. Or, perhaps don’t spend any money at all. Maybe do something as simple as leaving your home and going outside.
Considering the enormous emotional benefits of nature, this idea has real merit. According to a study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, individuals who spend time in green, natural spaces focus less attention on negative aspects of their lives and open themselves up to the kind of thinking that brings them joy – including happy memories of loved ones.
Creating just this kind of positive space for remembering is the backbone of the remembrance ideas in my book, Passed and Present: Keeping Memories of Loved Ones Alive. It’s also the springboard that enables us to celebrate loved ones who have passed while enthusiastically, unreservedly, and joyously embracing our present.
Allison Gilbert is co-author of the forthcoming book Listen, World!: How the Intrepid Elsie Robinson Became America's Most-Read Woman, the first biography of American writer Elsie Robinson (coming September 27, 2022). Her previous books include, Passed and Present: Keeping Memories of Loved Ones Alive. On Allison’s popular grief and resilience blog, she features Q & A’s with some of the most notable names in our culture today including, Arianna Huffington, Jon Stewart, and bestselling authors Henry Louis Gates, Jr., Dani Shapiro, and Susan Orlean. She is host of "Women Journalists of 9/11: Their Stories,” a 20-part documentary series produced in collaboration with the 9/11 Memorial & Museum. Featured journalists include Savannah Guthrie, Maggie Haberman, Linda Wertheimer, Dana Bash, and many others.
Please take a moment to follow her on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. She’s everywhere as “agilbertwriter."