Go outdoors, but go for shade

The importance of spending time outdoors even has jargon all of its own. Taste these words on your tongue: greenspace, bluespace, rewilding humans, outdoor kitchen, al fresco.

These words conjure images of stress-free days with ample fresh air and that feeling of your brain taking flight. The sheer deliciousness of winding down. In this Namibia of ours, there must be shade. So whether you fancy an al fresco meal or a lazy day alongside the garden pool, plan to have shade in your outdoor space.



American physician Claire Wilcox, writing in Psychology Today in 2021, explained why our brains need the outdoors and highlighted numerous benefits of time spent in green spaces for our mental health. “Greenspace exposure…. reduces physiological markers of stress such as heart rate, blood pressure, and salivary cortisol.” She says time spent outdoors improves wellbeing via physical exercise and community building.

That community building is described by Jamey Muller as “sharing bread”. She points out on the RTA-web site that when folks have an outside get-together area, it is much more than just a place to relax. “It serves as an inviting gathering space, and offers moments to break bread together.”

For homeowners wanting to optimize their backyards, the challenge is to create a dedicated outdoor living space. The provincial lifestyles of mild Mediterranean climates such as Spain, Portugal and Italy have fascinating rituals of harvesting ripe tomatoes or olives and dining together afterwards at a long table under shady blooms. Get the picture? Namibia just needs added shade.

Outdoor living took off in the USA after the pandemic years when people discovered they enjoy the centeredness of their homes. A 2021 survey shows that 78% of Americans are upgrading their outdoor living areas by focusing on elements that create intimacy such as fire pits, soft outdoor lighting, an outdoor sofa or an outdoor kitchen.

In Namibia most folks already have a routine geared to braaiing outside. What we need are plans to keep our outside living areas protected from dust and harsh sun rays.

Canvas covers over the patio furniture is a good idea, yet they are bulky and need storage space. No-one wants to share a hygge spot with discarded furniture covers. The space must be easy to clean before and after hosting, to avoid it becoming a schlepp and running into disuse.
Our outdoor living spaces are an extension of our lives, personalities and needs. Whether we prefer filling our inner need for nature with visits to the desert, rivers or ocean, having a special spot right outside our door already makes a huge difference.



It is there that we can place bare feet on cool daisy lawn or onto sandy soil. We need that anchor and being grounded.

Christine Stoman