So it turns out that going outside makes your brain work better.
According to Brain Based Biz, the fresh air helps in many ways. Your brain gets more oxygen. The natural world stimulates your brain in new ways. Working memory kicks in and lets you solve problems in new ways. It relaxes your brain and brings calm.
This is the exactly the justification I needed for my sketchy patio furniture shopping behavior. While some people would shop based on how comfortable the furniture is for sunbathing or entertaining, I’m looking for a patio set that will allow me to work outside. I want a solid, smooth table top that I can write on, not one of those iron tables with the woven mesh tops or some weird bumpy pattern. I also want comfy chairs that sit high enough against the table that I can type on the laptop comfortably.
Some may say that shopping for patio furniture based on your ability to work on it is a sure sign of workaholism, but I’d argue that it’s a perk of the work-at-home lifestyle. What could possibly be better than watching your kids play in the sandbox outside among your flower garden in the middle of the day, while you are supposed to be working? Granted, I can’t do serious writing while watching the kids, but I can definitely catch up on email and RSS reading. An even when I’m not watching the kids, I still like to go outside, and then I really can get some good writing in.
Do you like to write outside? Let me know by leaving a comment.
Thanks to Jeff at Donor Power Blog for the tip.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi Kivi, I had keynoted at a big conference and then attended a three-day conference last week. So I took my own advice and went out to the golf course today. I’m glad I did because I came back inspired. Going outside and enjoying our environment always helps me add new ideas for any project I’m doing. The naturalistic environment always inspires me.
Thanks so much for sharing this with your readers!
You are right; there is such a quieting spirit that comes over me whenever I venture into the forest… you are right – the world outside inspires our creative side and spurs us on to recapture the beauty on paper. Thank you for reminding me I need to go back out!