A disturbing new trend is upon us, it is called "binge watching," and anything prefaced with the word binge should be worrisome. So what are we doing about it?

Virginia State Parks thinks it really is okay to unplug and unwind

How much screen time is too much?

How much outside time is too little?

We now have devices for our devices

Our smart TV's connect to our smart phones and we can't leave home without them. Park goers complain about the lack of connectivity at some Virginia State Parks, but are overlooking the real connectivity that can be found outside, in nature.

Over 300 comfy-cozy cabins await you at Virginia State Parks

across the state and encourage you to spend time outside

This summer while staying in a cabin at one of the Virginia State Parks that is notorious for lack of connectivity to the internet, I was told by a close relative "If we just had Wi-Fi here we would have something to do after dark, we could binge watch Netflix together."

I was shocked by this statement.

We brought cards and other board games that I anticipated would fill our hours in the cabin together. I also had a book or two I packed that I was excited to dig into. But this was foreign to her, as binge watching was what she did in her down time, and it was now just part of her regular routine.

Although she was born in the 60's and raised in the 70's pre-dating the world wide web and internet, now in 2016 spending time offline was a foreign concept to her.

Fun and games at a Virginia State Park cabin

Dear Park'rs, I thought I would coin a new, less disturbing term for 2017, and in fact it's outright awesome:

BINGE WALKING

And no, it has nothing to do with the series "Walking Dead" in case you are wondering.

I am not talking about the running of marathons or speed walking, I am simply stating a simple phrase that literally translates to "Go outside and play at Virginia State Parks." But we have our reasons for not doing this:

It's too cold

It's too damp

It's too far

Yes, we have plenty of excuses, I know I do, and it prevents me from making the effort to spend time outdoors. Did you know that no matter where you live in Virginia you are never farther than an hour's drive from a Virginia State Park?

I can't recall who originally made that statement, but they were spot on. From where I sit (yes sit, and sit inside as I write this) I am 50 minutes or less from two beautiful Virginia State Parks and 1 hour 15 from two, wait scratch that, make that three more.

What would I see if I went outside, would it be worth my time and effort?

I could be transformed when I binge walk to discover scenery that is out of this world like Lover's Leap at Natural Tunnel State Park

I could see for miles and miles with a new outlook on life if I binge walked up to the very scenic Tuscarora Overlook at Douthat State Park

I might binge walk around the lake to discover this wonderful picnic area and playground at Hungry Mother State Park

With our dog Junie B it is never too cold, too damp or too far to a Virginia State Park trail. If she had her druthers we would spend every waking moment in a park, and I think she has the right idea. I remember thinking this before she became part of our family, when I would see dogs on trails. Dogs simply want to go outside and play, they live for it, and they encourage us to do the same.

Why do we make things so complicated?

Maybe this is the real reason they are called "Man's best friend."

Walking the dog, hitting the trail, binge-walking at

Smith Mountain Lake State Park

Natural Bridge State Park encourages walking,

walk under the massive limestone icon to see it from both sides

Benefits of Binge Walking

Binge walking is simply going outside for extended periods of time and hitting a trail or two. It can be a flat easy to navigate trail like a lakeside trail or a more strenuous rocky trail to an overlook. But whatever trail you choose just get on it and go. You can bring headphones to listen to your favorite tunes, or you can let nature provide her soundtrack, with a song all her own. 

Plan to walk, as long as you can and as far as you can. Then do it again. If you can plan to stream back-to-back episodes or series of shows while being sedentary, you can plan to hike a series of trails. It's all in the planning. Pack a lunch or a snack, refueling, replenishing, rehydrating (especially in the warmer months) and see how far you can go.

Vitamin D 

It is said that those who don’t get enough Vitamin D are more likely to suffer from osteoporosis, cancer, and Alzheimer’s. Sunlight has also been linked with the prevention of diabetes, auto immune disorders, multiple sclerosis, and even heart disease. 

To help your body function better, take it outside and hit the trails. One foot at a time, one step before the other. Start slow and build up to longer walks then before you know it and your binge walking will become second nature. 

Eye sight

Your eyes will thank you when you go outside in natural light, versus a man-made pixelated screen.

Better Sleep

You will sleep better with exercise, there is no way to refute that, as it really does do a body good.

Clean Air

Fresh air beats indoor pollutants 10 to 1. I am not sure what the actual stats are, but I would bet the numbers are radically higher for indoor air quality being poorer than outside, no matter what outside you choose.

Mental Health

Being outside away from distractions and disturbances inside can give you a fresh perspective, the ability to declutter and get a new point-of-view. This has to be good brain food.

Did you know? 160 miles of the park system's 626 miles of trails are reserved for hiking, and hiking is allowed on more than 397 miles of multi-use trails.

Where would you like to binge walk today?

HERE ARE 37 IDEAS TO HELP GET YOU STARTED