Are you wired 24 x 7? Do you ever unplug? Maybe it’s all about missing nature.
We are busy. There’s so much to do & often, not enough time. When we are staring at a screen for much of our day (smartphone or tablet or TV or computer or movie or presentation), we are missing an opportunity to view nature, other beings in 3-D, in real life. We may be focused on driving to our destination or doing a task (often with electronics involved), we may miss the subtle beauty and appreciation of the world around us. We lose the ability to process and recover from our daily events and it becomes easier to close ourselves off to the joy and vibrant world around us and we may gravitate towards UNhealth: increased stress, poor sleep quality, more frustrations, poor nutritional choices, less time spent making healthy choices, increased blood pressure, more chronic disease issues, less enjoyment, more depressed or anxious moods, diminished sense of humor, fewer interpersonal relationships, decreased sex drive and burn out.
In addition to meditation, journal-ing, listening to beautiful music, singing, dancing, physical activity, connecting with others (people/animals), one of the simplest ways to recharge is by spending some time in nature. Just being in nature. It has been shown that even having a picture of nature in plain site, improves overall well-being in those who see it, so imagine how powerful it is if you can see it in real life. All it takes is a few potted plants outside where you can sit or stand. Or a small path you can walk along with plants or pond or water along the way. A place where you can feel the wind on your skin and hear the birds or the waves or the movement of water or leaves.
This small but powerful exposure to nature doesn’t have to be exotic or take a long time or require time off from work. In fact, put some plants in your office or home. Put a cut flower in a vase. Step outside into the sun (or rain or snow) for a midday break. Take a walk in the woods or arboretum or park or neighborhood. Allow yourself to pause and notice the nature around you. Seeing and appreciating the natural world around you will nourish you. Think about whatever you want. Spend as much time as you plan – whether it is based on need, ability or desire. Nature accepts you as you are and you are part of nature. Remind yourself that you are human and it’s OK to take a small break and recharge.
Over time, if you allow yourself regular exposure to nature, no matter how brief, you will notice a small change inside of yourself. That internal flame, your life source can glow and grow. Then there’s the ripple effect. Things will start to improve. You will start to feel better. You can gain perspective, remember the beauty and awesomeness of nature and learn to love and accept yourself and others as nature intended. There is always change around us, and we can’t control it all and that is how life is supposed to be. We can more easily accept and adapt to those changes, improve our sleep, enjoy more relaxation and our continue to improve our overall well-being by allowing nature to recharge us. We are natural beings. Give nature a chance. You may just be missing nature.
Photo by Behzad Ghaffarian on Unsplash
Health Booster 