10 Ways to Stay Outdoorsy in the Office

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This has nothing to do with the blog, but I made it and think it's cool.

You're a person that loves the outdoors, but you, like me and millions of our outdoorsy friends, work a job in a stuffy office, far from the rolling hills, majestic mountains, babbling brooks and crashing waves that you love. How is someone supposed to keep their sanity while working 40+ hours a week under fluorescent lighting? Here is a list of some basic things you can do to bring a little bit of the outdoors into your work-week:

  1. Decorate your cube/office: Your workspace is your home for five days a week, make it your space. Are you a fly tyer? Get a shadowbox with  your favorite flies in it. Runners could do a motivational poster with Steve Prefontaine on it. If you just like the outdoors, maybe a plant or even a tiny desk-fountain could brighten your day. Just remember to keep it classy (frame the poster of Pre, don't use masking tape to hang it) and make sure you keep the decorations within your company's policies.
  2. Get a digital picture frame: This is technically decorating your office, but these things are good enough to warrant their own section. If you get a digital picture frame, load it up with your favorite outdoor images. A hunting trip you went on, pictures of your favorite trail, you on your boat, whatever you think will help get your through the day is what should be on the slideshow. They don't even have to be your pictures, you could get images from the internet of places you want to go to, or things you would like to do. 
  3. Utilize your lunch break: Lunch breaks in my office are usually taken at the employee's desk, and I'll admit that this is how I ate lunch until recently. Now, however, I pack a lunch (ham sandwich on an everything bagel? Yes please!) and take a short walk to a little pocket-park nearby and eat outside. If you can, get outside for your lunch break, soak in some sun and fresh air and you'll be amazed at how much better you feel.  
  4. Take "smoke" breaks: If your company has a smoking policy but you don't smoke, take a "smoke" break anyway and just be outside for five minutes. Get your vitamin D, some more fresh air, and a quick change of scenery.
  5. Listen to podcasts: The odds are pretty good that you already have a couple of podcasts that you listen to(like the Itinerant Angler or the Open Fly podcasts); listen to them in the background at work and get your fix. It's also a good time to catch up on episodes that you've missed.
  6. Listen to music: When podcasts are too distracting, music can be your link to the outdoors. I don't listen to music when I'm hunting, hiking or fishing, but the drive to wherever I'm going is usually filled with tunes, and that's what I'll listen to when I'm jonesing for those big open spaces.
  7. Cruise the web and social media: Don't overdo this one, but every once in a while, when you can't get outside and work sucks, escape into the magical world of the internet. Find your forums or blogs that you like and check up on the latest posts, or take a quick swing through facebook and/or twitter and find something interesting. Doing so will give you a break from the grind, while keeping your mind active
  8. Find a comrade: Having someone with a shared interest can change a work experience from 'meh' to 'pretty ok'. Finding a coworker who you can chat with about the rivers being blown out or great places to camp can bring needed relief from the constant barrage of business talk.
  9. Eat the outdoors: Hunters, anglers and foragers can all bring a little bit of nature into the office with them in their lunch-bag. A piece of smoked salmon or a piece of bread with jam made from berries you picked can transport you to your special hole on the river or berry patch for a moment, and that might be just what you need at 11am on a Monday.
  10. Take days off: Americans tend to be very good at never taking a day off, even to the point of coming in to the office when they're sick. I, however, am a proponent of taking a day off now and then. It is your duty, to both you and your company, to stay physically healthy and mentally fresh, and sometimes you just need a day off to maintain yourself. So I charge you with this: take a day off! Make it a Friday or a Monday so you get the long weekend, or make it a Tuesday or Wednesday if you want to maximize your potential for solitude when you do your outdoor activity of choice. Leave your work at work, and just get out and do something! 
If you're a cubicle warrior or a CEO, even if you work in your building's basement, there's no reason you can't have a little bit of the outdoors in your workweek!

A little side-note: Laegreid Outdoors is now on Facebook (www.facebook.com/laegreidoutdoors) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/laeoutdoors), be sure to go Like and Follow us there! Also, we've only got 8 days left on our anadromous fly giveaway, be sure to go to http://laegreidoutdoors.blogspot.com/2014/01/free-stuff.html and sign up. 

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