BY WILLIAM P., MANAGER OF PROGRAMMING

2026 marks L.L.Bean’s fifth year partnering with Mental Health America during Mental Health Awareness Month. Our message this year is simple yet powerful: Off the Grid.

During the month of May, L.L.Bean goes dark on social media to model—and highlight—the benefits of analog, offline rituals such as crafting, writing, reading, and simply spending time outside.

By stepping away from social platforms, we are communicating something we deeply believe in: that disconnecting, especially from screens, can be an act of care. Constant connection can be exhausting. Notifications, headlines, and endless scrolling often heighten stress rather than relieve it. We invite our community to do the same, even briefly, and to consider how time offline might open the door to something restorative.

That “something” doesn’t have to be big or dramatic. Often, it’s as simple as stepping outside.

At L.L.Bean, our purpose is enduring and clear: to inspire and enable people to experience the restorative power of being outside. For more than a century, this belief has guided everything we do—from the products we make to the experiences we create.

Today, that purpose feels especially meaningful as conversations around mental health continue to grow. In a world that rarely slows down, being outside offers something increasingly rare: space. Space to breathe, move, feel present, reset, and reconnect—with ourselves and with the world around us.

According to the American Psychological Association, spending time in nature is associated with lower stress, improved attention, and better mood. The outdoors asks very little of us—no passwords, no expectations, no constant updates. It simply offers space.

As more people discover the mental and emotional benefits of being outdoors, our responsibility grows. Living our purpose means meeting people where they are and helping remove barriers to getting outside.

That’s why we continue to expand partnerships with organizations like the National Park Foundation, the YMCA, and Boys & Girls Clubs—working together to make outdoor experiences more welcoming, accessible, and meaningful.

Because when people feel supported and confident outside, they’re more likely to care for themselves, for one another, and for the natural world.

Our new Early Morning Kayak Tour reflects L.L.Bean’s approach to outdoor learning and mental well-being. Set during the calmest part of the day, this program invites participants to slow their pace, move gently, and experience nature as it unfolds.

Paddling across quiet water as the day begins creates space for reflection and presence—qualities that often fade once daily demands take over. It’s not about how far you go or how fast you paddle. It’s about steady movement, mindful breathing, and being fully present.

Early mornings naturally support mental well-being. Cooler temperatures make paddling more comfortable and reduce physical strain, while calm water and lighter winds encourage a steady, rhythmic pace that feels grounding rather than demanding. With fewer people on the water, distractions fall away, allowing participants to quiet racing thoughts, reconnect with their surroundings, and ease into the day.

Ready to get started? Find your next kayaking course or tour and all that we have to offer for your next unplugged adventure!