As screen time and constant connectivity take an increasing toll, more Canadians are looking to their backyards, neighbourhood parks and local trails for a break from the digital world.
Brock University Associate Professor of Recreation and Leisure Studies Garrett Hutson says unplugging outdoors has become a growing part of how people are spending their leisure time this summer.
“There is a growing movement geared towards embracing nearby nature: your backyard, your local trail or the park down the street,” Hutson says.
Outdoor spaces have long been used for exercise and connecting with nature, but Hutson says people are increasingly turning to them as an escape from the physical and mental effects of prolonged screen use.
That shift is particularly noticeable among younger people.
“Research shows specific segments of the population, such as Gen Z, which has been ‘plugged in’ more than any other generation, are turning to nearby nature more often to offset the negative health impacts of being plugged in all the time,” he says.
Hutson, an outdoor recreation researcher, believes the trend represents more than a temporary reaction to digital fatigue. He sees it as part of a broader reconsideration of how people use their free time and what they need to maintain their well-being.
While researchers continue to study the effects of screen time, social media and constant connectivity, Hutson says people are also drawing conclusions from their own experiences.
“Deep down we know we’re not wired to consume this amount of information at this speed for the extended periods of time we’re exposing ourselves to,” he says. “I think people are starting to understand the positive impacts of not only unplugging but doing so outdoors socially, such as with family and friends.
“We’re starting to authentically reconnect with unplugged experiences and see first-hand that life is better without the constant sounds, badges, notifications and apps stealing attention and directing it to things that largely don’t matter. Compare how it feels to doomscroll on your phone alone with walking in the forest with a friend, and that’s all the proof you need.”
The growing interest in outdoor experiences, however, comes as extreme heat, wildfire smoke and poor air quality are making it more difficult to spend time outside.
On July 15, Toronto’s air quality ranked among the worst in the world as heat and smoke from wildfires in northwestern Ontario affected the city.
“People are trying to reconnect with nature, and they’re trying to unplug,” Hutson says. “But climate change is pushing back.”
Higher temperatures are also changing when and how people participate in outdoor recreation. Activities such as running, cycling and walking are increasingly being moved to the early morning or evening to avoid the midday heat.
Outdoor swimming pools, particularly in larger cities, are extending their hours later into the evening during heat waves. Camps, outdoor education programs and community organizations are also reconsidering schedules, activity lengths, access to shade and opportunities for participants to cool down.
“Techniques are changing in terms of what we do, how long we want participants out in the elements and whether we need more activities under cover or out of direct sunlight at certain times of the year,” Hutson says.
Despite those challenges, Hutson says spending even a brief period outside without a device can help people find a healthier balance.
“At the heart of nature-based recreation is joy,” he says. “As digital pressures and burnout continue to be commonplace, it’s important for people to develop strategies to find balance. Part of that can be as simple as a 10-minute lunch walk outside with a colleague without any of your electronic devices.
“It’s a ‘getting back to basics’ approach to maintaining and improving our physical and mental health. At a deeper level, I think it’s a re-evaluation of what kind of life we wish to live.”
