The irony I’ve found with being a part of the workforce in the digital age is that being so connected can leave us feeling quite disconnected.  The entrenchment into cyberspace can be strenuous with the constant need to engage your target audience, make yourself visible for mobile devices, and filter through pages upon pages of emails.

We take internet marketing seriously, no doubt. It’s our gig, our muse, our livelihood. However, I often find myself gazing out the window with a sense of longing (even in the 115 degree summer heat of Arizona.)  As it turns out, there’s a name for this common symptom: Nature Deficit Disorder. An article from foxnews.com today discusses the need for that sense of calm and wonder one experiences when venturing into the great outdoors.

“What they are finding is when you go outside in nature, your stress hormones go down, that nasty death hormone cortisol, your blood pressure goes down, your resting heart rate goes down, you feel better,” she said. “ There are immediate effects. Even just 15 minutes outside in nature is going to bring you some major health benefits.”

Luckily I had the chance to take a long weekend this past weekend and got to do some rejuvenating camping. Here are some photos that might just inspire you to take some time off yourself.