Making it Easier to Get Kiddos Outside with Amy Bushatz of Humans Outside

Natalie: 0:49

On today's podcast. I chat with Amy from the Humans Outside Podcast about getting outside with kids and some tips and tricks to make that a little simple. Maybe you wanna put on some headphones and head outside for this one. I'm Natalie. And you're listening to the resource doula podcast, a place where we provide information to help you make informed healthcare decisions for yourself and your. Hello and welcome I'm Natalie. And I'm so excited to talk with Amy B shots today. Amy Buch shots is a host and producer of the humans outside podcast, a journalist and an editor specializing in coverage of Alaska outdoors and the us military. When her husband Luke left the active duty army in 2016, the family moved site unseen to Alaska, where they have built a lifestyle around daily spending time outside Amy enjoys ultra running across her local mountains and plotting new adventures in nature. Hey Amy. Welcome.

Amy: 1:48

Thank you so much for having me so much fun. Uh, and I love talking to you because you are right down this, like we're physically nearby each other. What an unusual treat.

Natalie: 1:58

I'm so excited about that. One of these days we'll probably end up meeting each other in real life. So I just wanted to start . Right away with, you know, talking about your journey with getting outside more yourself and how that translates to getting your kids outside more.

Amy: 2:16

Yeah. So getting kids outside is such a hard thing. Right? Look, why is this. So hard, but my children are constantly begging me to play video games or watch TV, or pretty much do anything that's not outside. But I think you like me have seen this phenomenon, which is as soon as you get your kids outside, within minutes attitudes, improve transformations happen, people are. Different people they're running down the trail as if they did not just throw a temper tantrum about not getting to do whatever it is that you interrupted them or that they had suddenly planned to do, because you wanted them to go for a walk. Uh, so, you know, that's, I, this is like very real life parenting stuff. So how do you get your kids outside and what do you do with them? For us, we've really just built this into being part of our lifestyle. So when we moved up here to. And I decided I personally, for me, for myself individually, wanted to see what would happen in my own life. If I spent at least 20 consecutive minutes outside every day, that was for me, as I said, that was not necessarily for my family, but of course your family comes along too. And getting them to come with me has been a. A part of the challenge. So how do you make it happen? Well, we make it a family priority. Honestly. It's part of our family culture. Now my son actually jokes that he wants to be a human who is inside because what I call my project is humans outside. Um, but for the most part, we have found things that we like to do is a family. So these are activities or things that. Look forward to, as a group adventures, our family vacations revolve around going outside. And just like your personal habit becomes a part of how you structure, what you do and what you look forward to, how you shape your kids' lives and those things that are sort of core to who they are, are really like, you have a hand in that as a parent. And so what we're working to do is to make going outside, be a part of that.

Natalie: 4:20

Awesome. So did you start this with your kids when they were teeny tiny? Or how old were they when you began this habit?

Amy: 4:27

Yeah. So we moved here in 2016 and my oldest was going into second grade at the time. And then my youngest was in, in preschool. So really when I started my experiment, they were both school age. Kind of kind of guides. Um, and so not teeny tiny, right? Not, not the, not a from the cradle experience, but really young enough to sort of, you know, we're all going get in the car or we're all going get your stuff on, not dealing with the obstinate teenagers yet. Uh, that it's coming, it's coming. I can see it coming down the. So.

Natalie: 5:03

Okay. So for someone who is kind of ready to start this, ready to jump, and they know the benefits of getting outside, they know, you know, all of the reasons that they should, but they might be a little trepidacious as to like how to begin. So what would you say to someone who's who's getting ready, but doesn't have any idea where to start.

Amy: 5:26

In my experience, one of the biggest barriers to doing literally anything, I mean, going outside, starting an exercise routine, any new habit that you can think of. Okay. The reason you don't wanna do it comes down to discomfort. If you are uncomfortable. You're going to try to find a way to avoid it. That's just part of being a human. And so that means to counteract that you wanna find ways to be comfortable. And when it comes to going outside, that has a lot to do with what you're wearing and your physical. Temperature because you can be outside doing anything, right? You don't have to go for a run, which is uncomfortable. You don't have to be very active. You can just sit on your porch. But if sitting on your porch is very uncomfortable because of the weather, you're not gonna wanna do that. So really it all comes back to what you're wearing. It comes back to owning and using the gear. That's right for you. And you know, I don't say the right gear. Because it can be a w wide breadth of things. Now, here in Alaska, this often is about, um, in the wintertime it's about having enough layers, right? A jacket that's warm or layering your clothes with a base layer and a make a mid layer, like a fleece, and then a jacket on top of that. Keeping your lower body warm. I, how often. Like go outside with 17 jackets and jeans on. So you wanna make sure you're keeping your lower body warm too. You wanna have warm hands, warm feet? I do not hesitate to put on extra layers. I do not hesitate to use those chemical hand warmers and I have just figured out over time. That if I'm cold, that's a me problem. I can fix that by putting on more clothes or by changing what I'm wearing. Right. So get comfortable and find ways to be comfortable. Don't hesitate to make yourself comfortable and say, what about this? Isn't sitting right? What about this is uncomfortable. How can I get dressed for it? Another way being outside is uncomfortable for us in Alaska is mosquitoes in the summer. So now you're saying, okay, like what do I need to do to address that? So thinking very practically for our friends in the lower 48, there's some of the same considerations in the summer, you might be feeling very, very. We don't really have that problem here where you and I are in Alaska very often, but this is like an actual problem for some people. And then the answer is okay, like, how am I dressing that can mitigate that. So that's about wearing, uh, synthetic fibers that are pulling sweat away from your body instead of cotton, that's leaving it on, which is that kind of swampy feeling like, oh, I'm just like damp and. And

Natalie: 8:00

Cotton kills,

Amy: 8:01

oh yeah, you've got it. Just kills the spirit. If nothing else. Right. You've got that like nasty ness next to your body. No, no, no. Okay. Or it's about picking your battles and what time you wanna go outside. So do you go outside in the early morning? Do you go outside in the evening instead of that midday heat and just sort of organizing your schedule here in Alaska, we organize our schedules around the daylight in the winter. Where we try to find ways to go outside when it's light outside in other parts of the country, it's more about like, when is it hot? And you go outside when it's not hot. And that's all there is to that. And so just sort of thinking through those practical things, but again, it all comes back to this idea of finding ways to be comfortable and remove the discomfort barrier because discomfort is your brain saying, this is not good. We should not do this. It's a protective mechanism. It's something we should be glad that we have being uncomfortable is how our bodies say something is wrong. Um, but it also is something that you can surmount, you know, to borrow a phrase. We have the technology. So.

Natalie: 9:08

Especially here. And I also think, I, I really like this perspective because here in Alaska, we don't really care what we look like. Fashion goes out the window in the wintertime and we're fine with layering. so many layers, but that's a consideration elsewhere. And so getting comfortable with the discomfort of maybe looking a little bit silly or a little bit like a marshmallow is okay.

Amy: 9:32

Yeah, I look like a marshmallow, but man, I am warm.

Natalie: 9:35

yes. Yep. and that's what matters.

Amy: 9:39

so what matters to me anyway?

Natalie: 9:41

mm-hmm so, okay. Going kind of on this, what would you say is like the most common myth that you hear about specifically getting kiddos outside and what would your response be to this myth?

Amy: 9:56

So it goes back to this clothing thing. The myth is that the weather's not good, like it's too cold or it's too hot or it's too. So. For your kids to be outside. And the truth of the matter is, is that kids get dressed too. So this is again, it's about understanding what layers your kiddo should be wearing or not wearing depending on the temperature and then making that happen. So I like to acknowledge when I talk about this, that this is sort of a matter of privilege a little bit too, because not everyone really has the personal funds or the knowhow or a combination of those two things to be able to equip their. And theirselves that way. Um, and so there are ways to make this more affordable than others consignment sales. Um, I, you know, just doing hand me down system with your friends. I, all of my kids close right now come from one friend and they all get passed to another one. So. At some point they're gonna fall apart, but it hasn't happened yet. Right. Um, and it's just, they're just passed down the line, especially when it comes to seasonal clothing, because it's not usually worn enough to really wear out. Um, because kids grow and seasons don't last forever. I say that with like a little asterisks because my 10 year old. Just everything to absolute shreds. So maybe some kids do do wear it out. But the myth is, is that there is bad weather. You know, you might have heard the phrase, no bad weather, just bad clothing. And that there is some truth to that. There's a lot of truth to that. And so it's about understanding layering that starts with yourself, understanding how you can layer for yourself and then translate that to your kids. Now, the challenge here is that kids are gonna say. I don't wanna wear that, or I don't wanna wear emittance. And if then if they're hands are Iles or whatever, but I really believe that discomfort drives behavior. And so if your kids are uncomfortable, they're gonna figure out a way to keep their hands warm. Like they're not gonna, they're unlikely to get frostbite due to obstinance because at some point they're gonna be uncomfortable and seek relief if that's getting warm or coming back inside and. I just gotta stick with it and find ways to help your kids get dressed for those, for those things. You know, I will say as a, another aside though, like this has a lot to do with crazy making for the parent, you know, you've got mittens and boots and pants and wet and rain and like this and that. I spent all my time looking for this crap in my house, you know, buffs and. They forgot his buff. It's just on and on and on and on. And so part of this isn't even about layering your kid it's about under like home organization almost so that you're not going back crazy. Trying to figure out where all of your stuff is. Um, cuz that alone is enough to make you wanna watch Netflix instead of go out in the snow.

Natalie: 12:44

Oh, yeah, definitely. So, are there any systems that you recommend or resources for bins and organization, things like that?

Amy: 12:52

Yeah, so I, a couple of things, um, I have decided, you know, up here in Alaska, we all shop at Costco. So everyone has the same exact thing. And I decided to forget that and spend just a little bit more money on the gloves that have the little elastic around the wrist. because now that his gloves don't get lost, we had like a lefthanded bandit and all of the lefthanded gloves were. Okay. So whatever money I saved at Costco buying those gloves, I then re spent buying them again because we were missing the left hand glove of every single pair. Um, so I now spend just a little bit more upfront, get the elastic around the thing. We also have a boot dryer in a designated spot. So people put their, um, gloves and boots on the dryer to get dry, as opposed to just throwing them everywhere and hoping they dry on their own. Um, another Costco find, uh, and then, um, . And then we do have a couple of bins by the door where my people, put their gloves in one and then hats and buffs in another. And it was, I mean, they're not fancy, they're just plastic bins, uh, that we bought. And, you know, and because my kids are a little bit older, I can't expect them to put their boots in, not the way

Natalie: 14:04

Yeah,

Amy: 14:04

right. Like not where I'm gonna fall and break my face on them. But, um, Yeah. Yeah. You know, it's so funny when we moved up here, people said, you're gonna need one pair of shoes for school and one for home. And this, I was like, what the crap do I need so many pairs of things. Well, it's to keep me from going crazy. That's why, uh, and it's legitimate, you know, and sometimes I forget, they have those shoes at school and now they're four sizes too small at the end of the year. And you're wondering how they're, you know, no wonder they're not studying well, but that's neither here nor there.

Natalie: 14:34

Yeah. Awesome. I, I really like those tips. I think we just have to get comfortable again with the change of the amount of gear and things that you need to be comfy outside. Um, some of our lower 48 friends, they liken it to a space walk. Like when you go outside just to your car or to the grocery store, you need to gear up so significantly that it feels like you're walking on the moon potentially.

Amy: 15:00

Yeah. Absolutely. Absolutely. But I'll tell you having just a, a home where things theoretically belong is very helpful because I spent a whole lot of my time feeling upset that I can't find my stuff when I'm rushing out the door. And so if I have a spot for all of these different winter gear items that they belong and then. Make a point of putting things back where they belong. Things are much easier for me. I'm not even talking about my kid's gear. I'm talking about my own stuff at this point, you know, and then we also have do we, I did invest in, um, actually they weren't that expensive ski bags, um, on Amazon they're these humongous bags. You're like, my kid is gonna like fall over backwards wearing this bag, but it hasn't happened. So in, it goes their. And for ski boots and helmets and things. And then I keep a pair of mittens in there after they dry. You know, we just put everything back in the bag and then it's ready to go. If we wanna. Ski or whatever. And I don't have to worry again about like stuff falling on my head from the shelf or just, you know, it's like, these are the things that drive you insane and make you not wanna go outside because like, why would anyone make this effort for this short period of time? What, I mean, what could possibly be the benefit of going outside after I have had an absolute meltdown in my house because I had to. Something off of a shelf and all this stuff came cascading onto my head. This is the voice of experience that you're hearing right now. I'm

Natalie: 16:29

I like it.

Amy: 16:30

like a little PTSD right now. So like, why would you ever do that? Right. So you have to prepare a little bit in advance to help, you know, I, I think it was, um, I don't know somebody on Instagram who I follow said, you know, I ask. What would future me, like, right. How can today me help tomorrow? Me and I do, I ask myself that, and I may, I do things for tomorrow me today. And then when tomorrow re me arrives, she is so happy about past me. She's like, oh, she was so nice. You know?

Natalie: 17:01

I love that I'm gonna start doing that. I think, uh, I've also heard one of my clients found a lot of success with just having her girls leave her, their snowsuits by the door and like put up hooks or whatever command hooks, if you're not gonna keep them there forever. But that way they were just that much more likely to go outside rather than rifling through a whole bag of gear and digging for things.

Amy: 17:28

Yeah, it's kind of the worst. And then once you, like, let's say you do like to ski and now skis are falling, you know, skis. Don't like to stand up straight. Like they just fall over in the gr you know, it's like, that's, that's a lot. So whatever you can

Natalie: 17:41

That sound.

Amy: 17:43

Yeah. Click yeah, whatever you, and then the poles, and then everything's tangled, whatever you can do to help future, you not have to deal with. That's what you should do, because the true, because, okay, why are we doing all of this? Right? What is even the point? The point is, is that spending time outside has a mental health benefit that. It's far reaching through your day, but it's not just about mental health. It's total body wellness spending out. There are studies that show spending time outside makes you more creative, makes you more productive at work makes you it improves your mental health. So it makes you nicer to your family increases family. Um, it makes you better your relationships better because it's increasing these family bonds because you have these shared experiences helps you make. Helps you have a connection to your community. I mean, just on and on and on and on. And this is a whole life wellness thing. Right? So if you can get over these, I mean, what are truly little. In the broad perspective, but huge feeling in the moment, like very real barriers to getting yourself, to do it and develop some sort of a system or, um, you know, a future you assistance to make these easier on yourself. You will find the benefits from getting out in nature and you will be glad that you did it. It's just getting to that point.

Natalie: 19:05

Yeah. Yeah. The hardest, hardest step is the first one, right?

Amy: 19:09

absolutely.

Natalie: 19:10

Hmm. So many benefits. It was almost like we were supposed to just live outside. I feel like as humans

Amy: 19:17

Maybe not in Alaska, in the wintertime.

Natalie: 19:19

True. True. We can just all go to Hawaii in the wintertime that would work.

Amy: 19:23

I'm on board.

Natalie: 19:24

Cool. All right. So let's talk about snacks, snacks on the trail. What are your favorite ways to carry snacks? Gear? What are your favorite snacks? Talk about the food

Amy: 19:37

Okay. The first thing you have to know is that I love snacks. I'm like, I'm a big old snack fan. Part of this is because I'm a runner and I'm a long distance runner. And so running and snacks are the same. One does not happen without the other. And it's almost like sometimes it's the point. The point of going for the salon is to eat the snacks who can say, um, so I, I am a big snack fan. Okay. So when you're traveling with kids, snacks are not just a joke. They are the reason that we're going, right. Bribery. I am not ashamed. Okay. So what are my favorite ways to carry 'em? Let's start there. Uh, I have a running vest that I wear to. And if we are doing something really active, I'll actually slap that bad boy on and put stuff in the pockets. Now that's not necessarily practical if you don't already have that gear, but it is an example of repurposing. Something that you might already have. If that's a sport that you personally participate in, there is no law that says you cannot carry that sucker for other purposes. So I do, I put water bottles, snacks, all sorts of stuff in there. Um, I really like the running vest because it's very close to your body. It's like a, um, Because it has front pockets and back pockets. It's not a backpack. That's just hanging off your back. Right. You've got, um, accessible stuff, kind of everywhere. It also has what my lower 48 friends call or burrito pocket. Like it's perfectly shaped for a burrito, but what I call a bear spray pocket. So, um, I, that's where I keep my bear spray, um, for hiking here in Alaska or in another sort of wildlife. Location. Um, okay. So then otherwise I'm just carrying a tiny BA a little day pack with snacks and, you know, a sweatshirt and a water bottle and stuff thrown in there somehow never enough water bottles. Uh, you know, we're always thirstier than the water that we end up carrying. This is a science I've not yet nailed. Um, what are my favorite kinds of snacks for me? I really like just really the basics, right? Granola bars and some, um, chewy candy. I think that both of those things are really satisfying. My kids seem to really like them think, um, Swedish fish that's my personal favorite or sour patch kids, or even fruit snacks. Okay. Uh, if you are, have dietary concerns or are vegan, you know, just like think more broadly nuts. Um, you know, whatever types of, uh, snacks like that, that your, that your kids will tolerate, uh, hydration aids kind of make the water more exciting and actually have a benefit as well. So if you're somewhere you're sweating a lot, if you're using a hydration aid, you are actually gonna feel better replacing that salt in those electrolytes. Salty snacks would be another great reason to do that for those same electrolytes. You're, you know, you're sweating out salt, so you need to be replacing that a little bit, um, no harm having some pretzels and that kind of thing. Uh, you know, and I, man, I dig a PDJ on the trail and I don't, I'm like way behind this times, but, um, uh, uh, Uncrustables are amazing.

Natalie: 22:43

That's amazing. Oh my gosh.

Amy: 22:46

So someone made the PBJ for you and it's in a pocket. What more do you want? So I'm actually getting ready for a 50 mile run and I am going, I'm gonna take UN Uncrustables with me. That's what I'm going to eat.

Natalie: 22:59

Awesome. Awesome. And they come frozen, right? So you can just take 'em with you and they'll DeFreest on the way.

Amy: 23:07

That's that's what I'm thinking.

Natalie: 23:09

Nice 50 miles. I'm impressed. Where are you running from? From N two

Amy: 23:16

Uh, so the, this is the resurrection pass. Ultra-marathons, uh, there's a 100 mile race and a 50 mile race. And as the name suggests, they go over a resurrection pass here in Alaska. And I am doing the 50 mile version last year. I attempted the 100 did not finish, made it

Natalie: 23:35

okay.

Amy: 23:36

Um, learned that maybe 50 miles is the miles for me, cuz it felt great through that. And um, yeah, so I'm, I'm gonna do that. I'm really excited. It's at the it's at the end of July here and should be gorgeous up there. So, so I'm really, really feeling stoked about it. You gotta feel stoked to run 50 miles or you might as well not go so

Natalie: 24:59

do. Yeah. Agreed, agreed. well, I will be cheering for you when the time comes . Um, okay, so I have another question. That's a little bit different. How would you say that you incorporate nature inside when you can't spend as much time outside as you would like? Or what are some of the ways that you've done that in the past that you can, you know, let our, our listeners in.

Amy: 25:22

Yeah, windows are amazing things. Okay. So there is actual studies and data showing that even soft fascination at something green through a window has benefits, not unlike actually going. Okay. So we're talking, you know, when you have that phenomenon, just sort of staring into space, you know, and you tell your kid who's doing this. Hello, come back to me. Okay. That's called soft fascination and what's happening then is you're actually your brain's working. And so when you have that soft, soft fascination looking at greenery or at a nature landscape, it is having similar benefits to, if you were actually outside doing. Um, but I think, I think I'm gonna flip your question a little bit because by having what is really a very short period of time that I go outside. So just that, that 20 minute benchmark,

Natalie: 26:19

mm-hmm

Amy: 26:20

if you think about your day holistically, okay. You're not gonna be outside all day, right. Even if you wanted to be, you probably couldn't make that happen. Okay. 20 minutes is an extremely small amount of time in that. And so if you can find that 20 minutes, um, and that form, you know, the reason I picked 20 minutes was at the time there was some studies that said that had benefit, but also I thought it was something I could actually do, you know? And I thought about my Instagram habit or whatever. And I realized like I am spending collectively way more than 20 minutes peddling around on the internet every day. So why not do less of that? C, you know, clump some of it this together and take a walk or just go sit on my porch or look at Instagram while sitting on my porch. Right. That's not like the best use of my outdoor time, but you are in fact outside. So I took that. And what you find is when you cannot spend all of your time outside, or the weather is just too horrendous and you don't want to, or you're very busy or whatever. That 20 minute bubble has a, has a expansive effect. Once you come back inside and in your indoor life, and it also creates a craving to do it again. Um, I also have since decided that TW that I need to be outside for at least as long as it took me to get dressed, to go. So.

Natalie: 27:48

I like that. I like that. I agree with that.

Amy: 27:52

Yeah. If it's gonna take me 20 minutes to find all my stuff, I best be out at least

Natalie: 27:56

mm-hmm, make it worth it. Okay. So for someone who wants to do a little bit more research, I know you've mentioned several studies on this topic. What would you recommend? Do you have blog posts available for people? Where can they find all this information?

Amy: 28:13

Yeah. So of course you can follow my podcast, which is humans outside, and you can find that in all the podcast places. And I actually have interviewed a bunch of these experts about these subjects. Um, and experts who have written books on broader topics, but have a piece of, um, this sort of outdoor theme in, in each of these. And we peel that out and talk through it in the podcast., I don't actually have very specific, like broad nature, many broad nature books to recommend. I can recommend a book called, uh, the nature fix, which is by Florence Williams. And then another book that she did called heartbreak. And, um, she is really the ranking expert from a journalistic standpoint on this. And the nature fix looks at the science of like the actual science science of spending time outside. And what's happening there in terms of helping you from a whole. Perspective, not quite as broad as what, as what I often look at, but, um, very, very science based. And that is an excellent book. And you can also actually hear her on my podcast talking about that. Um, and so her, I really recommend her, her books, but, um, uh, funny. The book that I have found the most useful on this is actually on productivity and time management. Because for me, it is a huge deal to find time and to schedule things into my busy day. I have all sorts of competing priorities as do we all, you know, today I have take worked. A full-time job. I have worked on a freelance project. I've taken my kids to an, to an allergy shot. I have done a mobility exercise. You know, I even sat in my hot tub for 30 minutes. It's two 30 in the afternoon.

Natalie: 29:51

yeah, I was gonna say

Amy: 29:53

And I've already like completed my full-time job shift. Like all of these things have already happened today. Okay. How does that happen? Well, it happens by having priorities and understanding your schedule. And it happens by understanding how to be productive in a way that works for you and manage your time. And so the book I really like on that is called 168 hours. It's by Laura Vanderkam. She has several other time management books, including one that specifically looks at the time management of women called. I know how she does it. Um, but her books are very practical. Looks at time. Manage. From a perspective of, yeah. This quote unquote four hour work week idea is fantastic. except that how, how for whom is this actually practical? And Laura has, I think, five kids now. Um, and so she's got a whole, she's got a large family and she finds way to have time for what she wants to do. And she does that through understanding time management and productivity. And so while that is not an outside book, it is to me, the most important starting step of this, another one for building habits is of course, um, atomic habits by James. and that book really just looks at the nuts and bolts of creating a habit. Um, and that's a really important thing to understand if you are somebody who maybe struggles a little bit with making yourself do something and oh, by the way, that's most people. So there you go.

Natalie: 31:17

nature.

Amy: 31:18

Right? Like you're, if that's you, you're not alone. You know, most people have a hard time building. It's. I want everyone

Natalie: 31:24

Mm-hmm yeah, I will definitely be adding those to my list. I'm excited to read them and I'll link them in the show notes as well. So, okay. This is a question that I ask every single guest I have on my podcast. What is your number one piece of advice for our listeners? What do you want everyone to know?

Amy: 31:48

minutes, a. Consecutive. If you at all, possibly can to get the most benefit out of that really does have a whole life impact. And I have been doing this for well over 1,400 days in a row. I'm gonna hit four consecutive year five consecutive I've lost track.

Natalie: 32:07

Oh, my gosh.

Amy: 32:08

I've been doing this every day since 20 SEP SEP September 1st, 2017. Okay. So whatever the timeframe is that I'm about to hit there. We. Uh, I've been doing this long enough to see the benefits in my own life from a very, what I feel to be at this point, a long term perspective. And I can tell you for that reason that it really does have whole life impact. Having this habit as a part of my life has really has changed who I am and how I see the world. And I want everyone to know that that's possible for them too, but they have to go outside. They have to go out their front door to make it.

Natalie: 32:44

Amazing. Okay. Second question that I ask everybody which might be a silly question hearing this, but what is your current favorite? Wellness habit that you incorporate into your daily life. you can say going outside. It's all right.

Amy: 33:00

It is going outside, but I'm gonna tell you one specific thing that I do outside. Okay. So, um, in 2020, my pandemic purchase was my hot tub. Okay. So this, I have a hot tub. That's where I have this particular habit. Okay.

Natalie: 33:13

okay.

Amy: 33:14

Uh, you could have this on a porch swing. You could have this at a fire pit like this. It does not have to be a hot tub situation. Although I love my hot tub. Okay. I, when my husband is home, um, he's in the military, so he's not always home, but when my husband is home, we have a habit of hanging out in our hot tub in the evening. Having like just hanging out and having a conversation. And so this has become a outdoor based wellness habit, but really it's a relationship habit too. And it's just building a space to have that connection with somebody I love and care about, um, where we can just talk about our day and whatever's going on. And that has made really kind of a much bigger difference for me than I thought it was going to. And also I did not establish the habit on purpose. It's just. It came out of having this space that we both enjoyed. I mean, who doesn't love a hot tub,

Natalie: 34:06

Yeah,

Amy: 34:07

Well, some people, but you know, they don't have to get in, so

Natalie: 34:10

true. I think the outdoor space in general just fosters better conversations. Like my husband and I, we talk all the time when we go on walks and we have great conversations when we're walking, it seems to kind of spark that creativity of new thoughts, new ideas, and all of that. So that's amazing. I think we should get a hot tub. I'll try to convince him

Amy: 34:32

I endorse, I endorse, but for everyone else who like for people who are listening, you're gonna have to go to Arctic home living, and that's a whole situation. So you let me know if you need advice about that. So

Natalie: 34:44

I might have to ask you. So once again, can you tell our listeners where to find you online? You're on social media, you're all over the place. Let us know.

Amy: 34:55

Yeah. So of course, uh, you can find the humans outside podcast and all of the podcast, places. I, if you find a podcast place that you cannot find it, you let me know and we'll make sure it's there. Uh, and then humans outside on Facebook and Instagram, and of course, humans outside.com where you can find links to all of the old show notes. Less hel uh, helpful blog posts, fewer of them than I would like if in a perfect world, but they do exist. Um, and then, um, you know, the other thing I do is I post a, as like a personal habit. Accountability habit for myself, a photo each day of my own outdoor time. And, um, so you can too do that and you should cuz it's so much fun and then I'll follow you and you'll follow me and we can see what we're doing outside every day. Um, and I've been doing that since I started my habit in, uh, in 2017. And of course those are on Instagram and Facebook, uh, at humans outside.

Natalie: 35:49

I love it. Thank you. And what did you do today? Outside? You sat in your hot tub. Did you go on an adventure

Amy: 35:54

in my hot tub. I have not done my official outdoor time. Uh, but isn't that beautiful. That outdoor time just sort of naturally happens right now. That's I guess the side benefit of a very nice day, uh, when it's not so nice, we kind of have to plan it more. Um, I'm a member of our local running club and so we have our track workouts on Tuesday evenings at the high school, and I will be. Running in circles. That is my outdoor time today, but I'm very excited cuz the rest of this week, I'm spending in Seward, Alaska. Um, we're going camping and just in time for it to be raining the whole time

Natalie: 36:29

Oh, no.

Amy: 36:29

taking a, a visiting relative on a wildlife cruise and we're gonna fingers crossed have a great time and be dry. So.

Natalie: 36:37

Sounds like an awesome adventure. Amazing. Well, thank you so much, Amy, for coming on the show and having this conversation with me today, I really, really appreciate it.

Amy: 36:47

Yeah. Thank you so much for having me. What a treat.

Natalie: 36:51

How inspiring was that I loved getting to hear Amy's passion for going outside and spending time as a family in nature. My top takeaway was how impactful a time management strategy can be. For improving your chances of spending time outside. This can allow you to be really intentional about scheduling your time outside, and then all of the benefits that come with it act as a catalyst for improving your inside life as well. You can check out the show notes for links to Amy's podcast and her social channels, as well as all of the books she mentioned during the. Please remember that what you hear on this podcast is not medical advice, but remember to always do your own research and talk to your provider before making important decisions about your healthcare. If you found this podcast helpful, please consider leaving a five star review in your favorite podcast app, as it helps other people find the show. Thanks so much for listening. I'll catch you next time. I hope you enjoyed your time outside.