This episode is brought to you by REI Co-op, which believes that life outside is essential.

Research demonstrates numerous physical and mental benefits to heading out your door.

Unfortunately, one in three Americans simply don't have outside spaces close to where

they live.

Challenges range from a lack of public transportation to a highway that cuts off a neighborhood

from a park to systemic issues.

It's a problem that affects the entire country, which is why REI is on a mission to get every

American outside in five minutes or less.

The movement is called outside in five, and it includes a combination of support for

local community-led organizations and a national campaign to pass the outdoors for all act.

Whether it's re-greening city blocks, creating safe bike lanes, or simply making our outdoor

spaces more equitable, together we can make getting to the park, a walk in the park.

Learn more and take action at REI.com-forward-slash-outside-in-five.

From outside magazine, this is the outside podcast.

If I had to place a bet, I'm wondering the course of a year the greatest number of people

in the United States are feeling relaxed, or maybe even content, I'd put my money on the

late July. Kids are on summer break. People who are able to take vacations are taking them.

It's a warm ocean breezy kickback time. I mean, this is why there's a snack brand that's

literally called late July. But here's what I think is really going on. We're just getting

outside a lot more, to the beach, to the mountains, to a cabin on a lake, and that is what makes

us feel so good. Obvious, right? But what's not so clear, and a lot more interesting, is the research

that explains what's going on in our brains and bodies that leads us to this elevated sense of health

...