Eqbal VolinuskhiWe’re all living in boxes. Stay with me here. This isn’t us throwing shade at your ability to think creatively. At home, we’re indoors, in a room. At work, we’re either in a cubicle or an office room. For the sake of basic shelter, we’ve put ourselves in literal boxes for the majority of our lives.
We don’t spend very much time outside and that affects our wellbeing.
Studies show that simply by sitting outside amongst nature for half an hour, you can dramatically reduce stress and improve your mood.
Who knew such a simple piece of street furniture could have such an impact?
Here are a few reasons why sitting on a park bench is good for you.
#1. Opportunity to rest
As much as it’s important to get things done, resting is equally as important. Being outdoors and surrounding yourself with nature can trigger your parasympathetic nervous system. This intrinsically makes you feel calmer and more peaceful, which is a natural mood-booster. So schedule a break, stop for a while and breathe some fresh air.
#2. Reduce isolation
2020 has been a lonely time where a large majority of people have been isolating themselves from one another. Being alone for a long period of time can increase depression, stress and anxiety. So just by sitting at the park bench surrounded by people can improve your mental wellbeing and increase your sense of community.
#3. Get your eyes off the screens
We all know that being in front of your digital screens all day isn’t good for you. It strains the eye and can even trigger migraines. So it’s best to take a break, a real break from looking at your screen. Instead of being on your phone, read a book, have coffee, or do some sketching/painting.
Are you convinced yet?
We’ve got some places you can go to in Brunei with the ideal spaces to sit in the open.
Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas (Eco-Corridor Park)
(Source: TripAdvisor.com, Taman Mahkota Jubli Emas)
The 30-acre riverfront park was built in conjunction with the Golden Jubilee of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah’s accession to the throne. Located on a riverbank section along the Kedayan River, the park features a 6-metre wide promenade for pedestrians and cyclists. The park also features gardens and green spaces for recreational activities
Taman Jubli Perak Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah (Taman Jubli Perak)
(Source: Commons.wikimedia.org, Taman Jubli Perak)
This public park in the centre of Bandar Seri Begawan was built and opened in 2004 to commemorate the silver jubilee of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah to the throne. This park is popular for joggers and outdoor workout aficionados. Families also bring their children to the jungle gyms here.
Tasek Lama Recreational Park (Tasek Lama)
(Source: Holidify.com, Tasek Lama Recreational Park)
Located in Bandar Seri Begawan, Tasek Lama is a well-maintained park that is popular for hikers. There are several playgrounds located within the park for families to play and a jungle gym area for people to do callisthenics.
Oil and Gas Discovery Centre Fitness Park (OGDC Fitness Park)
View this post on Instagram
Located in the lovely town of Seria, Kuala Belait, OGDC Fitness Park features a large playground, smooth cemented track for joggers and runners, also for cyclists, rollerblades, and skateboarders.