“Go outside and get some fresh air.”
Sound familiar? It doesn’t matter if you are a child fighting off Creepers in Mindcraft or a writer staked out in front of a computer writing the next best-seller; You know being outdoors is good for you. The fresh air and the sunshine. The birds, the flowers, and the rain that nourishes everything. Nature! You know all about it.
But you get distracted by technology. Cell phones connect you with the entire world. Video streaming gives you more bingable content than you can possibly watch. Smart home devices keep watch over your home, control the temperature and tell you who is at the door.
Don’t forget about the outdoors. Some of us only venture out there to mow the lawn or hang out laundry. There is nothing wrong with that! Those brief moments outside, walking to the mailbox or sipping your morning coffee, are vital to your health. You don’t have to plan day trips to the beach or book a cabin in the woods for the weekend to get the most out of that fresh air. You just need to get out there and experience nature.
Small, frequent interactions with nature can significantly impact your well-being. It keeps you healthy physically, emotionally, and psychologically. If I ask you to think of a place where you have felt happy or peaceful, you are most likely to think of a place outdoors. We all have a connection to nature that began when life first appeared on the earth.
Being exposed to nature helps to remind you that you are a part of something bigger – some life force – that connects every living thing. The connection calms you. It reduces the amount of stress hormones in your blood. They are replaced by “happy hormones” like serotonin and dopamine. Your blood pressure and heart rate drops. Your breathing slows and becomes more rhythmic. You are no longer plagued by random thoughts or concerns. You belong, and that gives you comfort.
It is easy to feel that way. Find a green space – a park, your backyard, that reading nook with the plants on the windowsill; even watching a nature documentary can help reduce stress if you focus on what you see. Mindfulness is the key to getting the most from your pocket-sized nature moments.
Take the time to notice everything. Can you feel a breeze? Is the sun warm on your face? What feelings do the colours express to you? What do you hear or smell? Make the most of those minutes and experience nature with all your senses. Let your mind be quiet and enjoy the moment in whatever way suits you.
And, when your body is calm and your mind is quiet, you can return to that technology-based life with a feeling of renewal and peace. It only takes minutes to absorb the healing powers that nature has to offer. It’s a micro-moment with a macro impact that will benefit your well-being.
Don’t believe me? When you finish reading this, look out your window and be mindful of what you see. Then, compare how you feel to how you felt before you read this. You will see. It is so easy.
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Want to find out how connected you are to Nature? Take my Quiz.