Outdoor therapy graphic by New Normal Big Life - Live Strong, Explore Boldly, Be Ready Podcast

Outdoor Therapy: Modern Life Is Making You Sick

Posted inAdventure Sports, Mental Health, Your NNBL JourneyNo Comments
In a world dominated by screens and stress, reconnecting with nature through outdoor therapy offers profound healing. Trees release phytoncides and terpenes that boost immunity and reduce inflammation, while magnesium from natural sources supports muscle function and heart health. Foraging for wild edibles provides nutrient-dense foods absent from modern diets, and consuming grass-fed game, such as deer, mirrors ancestral eating patterns that were associated with fewer chronic diseases. Wild-caught fish from kayaking adventures deliver omega-3s for brain health, cold exposure builds resilience, and earthing grounds the body against oxidative stress. We’re talking holistic health. Adventurers become stewards, maintaining trails and preventing wildfires, fostering deeper bonds with the natural world. We unpack these principles of outdoor therapy as a practice.
Three diverse children at sleep-away camp

Master Sleep-Away Camp Like a Pro

Posted inAdventure Sports, Mental Health, NatureNo Comments
Forcing kids to attend sleep-away camp can backfire. Experts and camp directors agree that pushing a reluctant child may lead to stress, hindering their ability to make friends and learn skills. "Kids need to feel ready," says camp director Jamie Thompson. Instead, first foster readiness with small outdoor experiences at home. Sleep-away camps offer benefits like leadership, resilience, and nature connection, but only if kids are open to it. Overpacking, underpacking, or bringing prohibited items like scented products can also disrupt the experience. Trust your child's feelings — they'll thrive when ready. This article shows you how to prepare your child for sleep-away camp like a pro.
Black woman with a stand up paddleboard

Personal Flotation Device Buying Guide: Life Jacket Safety

Posted inAdventure Sports, Life Skills, ResourcesNo Comments
Drowning claims over 400 lives yearly in U.S. boating accidents, with 87% of victims not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD) or life jacket, despite owning one. As a new paddler, I learned this the hard way, buying an expensive advanced PFD for basic whitewater kayaking. The right Personal Flotation Device (PFD) can save your life, but choosing one requires understanding your sport, body of water, swimming ability, and body weight. Selecting a U.S. Coast Guard-approved PFD from Kokatat’s Hustle PFD for whitewater to the Leviathan for kayak fishing is critical. For kids, proper fit is non-negotiable. Don’t let overconfidence sink your safety — wear your PFD every time. Learn how to pick the perfect life vest for paddleboarding, kayaking, rafting, motorboating, or fishing, and avoid my costly mistakes. Your life depends on it.