Going out or staying in: Which is better?

Bre (Staying in)

Versatility, affordability, comfort, and control make staying in far superior to going out. Staying in is more adaptive and acceptable than ever, allowing for a connected and full existence without much need to go out.

Mandated confinement created a wealth of resourceful strategies to stay connected with work, nature, and loved ones from the comfort of home; practically every aspect of life was made home-compatible and often improved in the process. Recent studies find that at-home work promotes greater performance, productivity, and job satisfaction while reducing sick days, distractions, and attrition. Compared to kids in daycare, kids at home with a stay-at-home parent fare better in school and are less stressed.

The home provides optimal flexibility to handle responsibilities most conveniently and enjoyably. Homemade food is healthier and less expensive. There's freedom to control the light, temperature, ventilation, music/TV, etc. Staying in offers immediate bathroom access and the ability to lie down and relax. There's no dress code or set pace. Personal energy can be recharged rather than drained.

While out of the house, there's a greater likelihood of valuables being stolen, both in-person and from one's empty residence. Staying in is effortless, practically cost-free, requires no preparation, and can facilitate quality time with loved ones. It consumes no gasoline or transport time, prevents car accidents and contagious illness, avoids crowds and unpleasant or violent interactions, and requires less consultation or compromise. Home is where authenticity is effortless. Going out usually involves costlier, noisier, less safe conditions, especially for social nighttime occasions. Plus, going out can interfere with healthy sleep, foundational to one's overall well-being. In most circumstances, staying home is the easiest and most practical choice one can make.

Elliot (Going out)

The reasons for going out are vast, encompassing everything from personal health to the obvious fun that occurs when visiting amusement theme parks, seeing movies, or cheering on your favorite team in a famous sports arena. Going out is where most of us make memories and meet new, exciting people!  

Heavy social media usage, usually done indoors, is linked with depression, loneliness, self-harm, and suicidal thoughts. Conversely, spending time with friends benefits our mental health, releasing endorphins that help combat mental health issues like depression and anxiety. Socializing with others is crucial to improving your immune system. Social isolation indoors limits exposure to viruses, which means your body cannot create the proper antibodies to fight off mutating strains. Ninety-five percent of professionals believe face-to-face communication is vital to business. Additionally, 85% of positions are filled through networking processes. 

Spending time outside means breathing in fresh air, helping improve your mood, lower your heart rate, clean your lungs, and improve digestion. And we can't forget about sunlight—the best source of vitamin D, which can improve your mental health even further, as well as your cardiovascular system, skeleton, brain, and your body's immune system. So even if you're not going out to socialize but are simply taking a long stroll, going out is better than staying in. 

Going outside also exposes you to new experiences. Hiking a mountain becomes a fantastic accomplishment. Ocean or pool swimming is refreshing. The Japanese concept of shinrin-yoku (or forest bathing) shows us that simply spending time in the great outdoors can reduce stress hormone production, boost happiness, lower heart rate, and even accelerate recovery from illness. To increase one's overall sense of purpose, happiness, fun, and adventure, going out is the best move to make!