L.L.Bean is Back "On the Grid" with a Sharpened Focus on the Power of the Outdoors

Through proprietary research and charitable partnerships, L.L.Bean is extending its efforts to inspire and enable people to experience the restorative power of the outdoors

FREEPORT, Maine, June 9, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Iconic outdoor retailer L.L.Bean is officially back online after going "off the grid" for one month in recognition of Mental Health Awareness month. But more than a return to social media, the brand is returning with a sharpened focus on inspiring and enabling people to experience the restorative power of the outdoors. This includes proprietary research with University of California Irvine (UCI) Associate Professor of Psychological Science Dr. Paul Piff exploring the benefits of time outdoors, as well as new and continued charitable partnerships with the Boys and Girls Clubs of America, Mental Health America, and OUT There Adventures.

"At L.L.Bean, we believe the outdoors brings out the best in us. This is why we spent the last month off social media and prioritizing time outside," said Shawn Gorman, Executive Chairman and great-grandson of L.L.Bean. "Now that we're back online, we're excited to work with Dr. Piff and UCI to better understand the restorative power of the outdoors, as well as partner with like-minded organizations to help ensure those benefits are as accessible and as inclusive as possible."

A growing body of evidence suggests the benefits of time outdoors are vast – from improved short-term memory and enhanced creativity to lower levels of stress and greater feelings of wellbeing – but many people don't understand why. One reason is that nature evokes awe – the emotional response to being in the presence of something so vast that it transcends one's understanding of the world. Through two consecutive studies, L.L.Bean and Dr. Piff will research the mental, social and health benefits of experiencing awe through time spent outside:

• Project 1: Is awe through nature linked to improved social connection and emotional and physical health during the COVID-19 pandemic?
   
• Project 2: Can an intervention to increase moments of awe have a positive impact on overall health and happiness?

"For hundreds of years, people have talked about the importance of awe to human life and interpersonal relations," said Dr. Paul Piff. "I am excited to be working with L.L.Bean to more deeply understand how it is linked to spending time outside and overall health, happiness and social connection."

L.L.Bean is also investing in multiple organizations and partnerships focused on helping people experience the outdoors, including:

• Boys & Girls Club of America (BGCA) – As part of L.L.Bean's $500,000, two-year partnership to expand the sports and recreation programming for Boys & Girls Clubs, the brand will officially launch an Outdoor Recreation Playbook in June that formalizes a "Social Recreation" curriculum, supporting emotional wellness activities and reducing the barriers for kids and teens to have new and engaging experiences with the outdoors. L.L.Bean is also continuing to offer Outdoor Discovery Programs (ODP) at select Clubs, with expert guides on-site to introduce young people to a range of outdoor activities.
   
• Mental Health America (MHA) – Through a $500,000 grant and two-year partnership, L.L.Bean will work with MHA to reach people through community-based, mental health programs. The partnership includes research and multimedia campaigns aimed at creating connection and inclusion in the outdoors and uncovering the wellbeing benefits of time spent outside.
   
• OUT There Adventures – L.L.Bean is proud to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, with $50,000 to support our friends at OUT There Adventures. OUT There Adventures is an organization that supports the mental wellbeing and development of LGBTQ+ youth through outdoor experiences.

To learn more, visit www.llbean.com.

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 2020, L.L. Bean donated over $6 million to 100+ outdoor and community-enriching organizations, many of which focus on increasing access to outdoor spaces. L.L. Bean operates 54 stores in 19 states across the United States, along with 25 stores in Japan. 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.

Paul K. Piff, Ph.D., is an assistant professor of psychology and social behavior at University of California Irvine, where he also directs the Morality, Emotion and Social Hierarchy Lab. Dr. Piff's research examines the origins of human kindness and cooperation, and the social consequences of economic inequality. In 2015, Dr. Piff was designated as a Rising Star by the Association for Psychological Science in recognition of his outstanding early contributions to the field of psychology.

Media Contacts:

Amanda Hannah
L.L.Bean Head of External Communications
[email protected]

Alejna Kalavik
Porter Novelli
[email protected] 

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SOURCE L.L.Bean