The Power of Nature to Heal
Even a small child knows the joys of exploring the outdoor world. They are drawn to it by instinct. Mention the park, a zoo, or the beach, and they jump with excitement. Most of us hold onto that thrill our whole lives. But how often do we get so busy that we forget to take advantage of the healing powers of nature? University studies have found that sunshine in small doses benefits the body. Psychological studies have shown that doing almost anything outdoors leads to a happier frame of mind, better sleep, and a reduction of stress.
But what exactly is it about nature that has such a profound and positive effect on us?
Sensory Appeal
Leave your worries behind and decide that, as you walk out the door, you will pay full attention to what nature has to offer your five senses. (If you live in a city full of smog, we'll assume you are stepping out your car-door into a more pleasant kind of air.)
The air smells fresher, different. You might get a whiff of rain-soaked earth, sea water, blossoms, freshly cut grass, or drying hay. You will feel the weather--the breeze, the temperature, the dryness or humidty, the heat or the coolness. Take time to touch the grass with bare feet, or dip your toes into the lake. Feel the texture of a pine cone or the bark on a tree.
Taste a clover blossom or a freshly picked strawberry. Listen to see how many sounds you can pick out: the wind rustling in the leaves, the birds singing, insects buzzing, rain falling, or the crunch of your feet on a gravel drive. Talk or yell something silly from the top of a hill. Hear the echo?
Play "I spy with my little eye". How many wondrous things might you see outdoors that are not present indoors? Fully experiencing those things will lower your blood pressure and release the "feel-good" natural chemicals in your brain. You can stretch and move at will with a sense of freedom. The sky will make you feel both big and small, humble and royal.
A Change of Scenery
How very different the things in nature are from those inside a building or a vehicle. A change of scene can always benefit you, and nature is full of variety. Take advantage of that variety. Visit parks and zoos, farms and mountains, rivers and oceans. Take a walk around your neighborhood and see it from a whole new perspective, which in turn, helps your grow even as you unwind. A change of scenery and a new perspective can be just the jolt you need to sooth away stress, awaken your creativeness, or bring out the playfulness in you.
The Healing Powers of Nature
If you need a boost of energy, nature will provide it. If you have been in over-drive and need to slow down, nature invites that, too. Becoming fully engaged in natural surroundings will increase your appreciation of the world and your place in it. Avail yourself of those healing powers daily.
U-Tip: Treat yourself to an outdoor adventure today.
In what ways do you feel different outdoors than "cooped up" indoors? What are some of the things you love most about the world of nature?
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