Freeport, ME, April 28, 2023
L.L.Bean Encourages People to Log Off and Get Outside During Mental Health Awareness Month
2 Min. Read | Inside L.L.Bean | Current Stories
Our purpose — to inspire and enable people to experience the restorative power of being outside — is important year-round, but especially during Mental Health Awareness Month in May. This year, we are inviting all who can to take a break from screens and prioritize time outside, as research shows that being in nature can lower stress, increase self-esteem, reduce anxiety and improve mood.
For the second year, L.L.Bean is leading the way by going “off the grid” for Mental Health Awareness Month, pausing all social media channels and heading outside. Beginning on May 1, we will wipe our social media clean but leave behind resources, tips and tools to help people explore the outdoors in support of their mental wellbeing.
As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, we continue our support of Mental Health America, including a two-year, $500,000 grant funding mental health-focused programs and research. Additionally, thanks to our partnership with fitness app Strava, users can track their outdoor activities as part the L.L.Bean Feel Good Challenge. Participation will help raise money for Mental Health America and its programs focused on mental wellbeing in the outdoors.
Research has proven that a connection to the outdoors has a measurable impact on mental wellbeing. In fact, we have teamed up with Dr. Paul Piff, who is an expert in “The Science of Awe,” to support research further confirming how the wonder and mystery we experience in nature positively affect our perspective and wellbeing. This May, we hope everyone will see that in action.
All of these purpose-driven commitments underline ongoing efforts to help more people consistently embrace the outdoors as an important tool in wellness. This May, whether you reengage with nature by having lunch outside, taking a walk around the neighborhood or hiking up a mountain, log off and head outside alongside us.
If you find you need support or mental health resources along your journey, explore Mental Health America’s resources at www.mhanational.org/may.
About L.L.Bean
L.L.Bean, Inc. is a leading multichannel merchant of quality outdoor gear and apparel. Founded in 1912 by Leon Leonwood Bean, the company began as a one-room operation selling a single product, the Maine Hunting Shoe. Still family owned, Shawn Gorman, great grandson of Leon Leonwood Bean, was named Chairman of the Board of Directors in 2013. While its business has grown over the years, L.L.Bean continues to uphold the values of its founder, including his dedication to quality, customer service and a love of the outdoors. In 2022, L.L.Bean donated $5.5 million to outdoor and community-enriching organizations focused on increasing access to and inclusivity in the outdoors. L.L.Bean operates 56 stores in 19 states across the United States, along with 25 stores in Japan and 12 stores in Canada, in partnership with Jaytex Group. The 220,000-sq. ft. L.L.Bean retail store campus in Freeport, ME, is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and welcomes more than 3 million visitors every year. L.L.Bean can be found worldwide at www.llbean.com, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and Instagram.