Last night I did a quick nature focused mini-training in my facebook group and wanted to basically share the transcript here with you in case you might find it helpful as well. Basically, it comes down to a simple but powerful form of self care that is so easy, anyone can do it.
And that is spending time in nature.
If you’re an active member of the fb group, you may have seen where I mentioned a little bit about how healing nature can be earlier this week when a few members were talking about how draining life was feeling lately. Tonight I wanted to dive a little further into why it’s so powerful as well as provide some ideas and options to try. So whether you’re looking for a quick recharge or to have a big impact on your health, it’s totally possible with a little help from the great outdoors.
As someone who makes it a point to spend as much time outside as possible, I can absolutely attest to how much of an impact it can have.
And that goes for all ages too.
For example, a lot of people told me I was crazy when I told them I was going to take my two toddlers camping for a whole week, but I have never seen them as calm. Between hiking through the trees, eating our meals by a lake, interacting with wildlife every day, and sitting under the stars each night… it was such a great experience for the whole family and every single one of us came home feeling healthier and happier. But seven days in the woods can be a lot for some people so if that feels extreme, don’t worry. There are plenty of ways to embrace the healing power of nature from the safety of your own back yard or a nearby park, and it can be five minutes here and there instead of a whole week.
But before we get further into some options, I want to go further into the why.
As I said, nature can be a huge healing source when it comes to both your physical and mental health. Let’s start with your nervous system and stress. Did you know that there is a ton of research that shows that being in nature can lower levels of cortisol? Even something as simple as a walk in the park can lead to lower blood pressure and heart rate, meaning your stress levels come down.
And as that cortisol level is decreasing, your serotonin and dopamine levels are going up, which helps with regulating your emotions and mood stability, meaning less anxiety, sadness and depression.
Taking that short break from the demands of your daily life and spending the time outdoors instead can help to improve your cognitive function- from attention span to memory to problem solving skills, a quick nature break has been known to restore your energy and focus. The theory behind this is that nature provides effortless attention which restores mental fatigue. That combined with all of the happy hormones leads to a higher functioning brain.
And then there is the fact that physical activities like walking or hiking in nature lead to a better overall physical fitness.
This means improvements in your cardiovascular health, weight, muscle, and immune system. You’re also being exposed to more natural light which helps your circadian rythems, meaning a better sleep cycle. You naturally produce more melatonin which can help with things like insomnia and improve your sleep quality. This is huge for both your mental and physical health.
There’s also a lot of emotions that can come to the surface when you’re surrounded by nature- such as feelings of connection and belonging. Being more connected to the world around you can help with the way that you interact with people and studies have shown that when we interact with nature, we’re more likely to feel like we’re part of the community which reduces feelings of loneliness.
And then finally, there’s just a certain sense of peace that comes with being in nature.
No distractions, no hustle and bustle of regular life… you’re more likely to be present and mindful of what’s going on around you. It’s calming and can allow you to be more engaged in the moment which again, comes back to things like less stress and more calm.
So, what are some of the easiest ways to get out in nature so that you can start getting all of these benefits?
You can jump in headfirst like I do and take off for the woods for a week or two, or you can step into it a little more slowly. Start with a walk around the block or through a local park. Hike through trails or public gardens or state parks. Start a garden in your yard or on your porch or wherever you have the room. Or maybe even just eat your lunch outside- whether it’s at a picnic table or sitting at the base of a tree.
You can ride your bike or head out with your camera and take photos of what you see around you. If it’s dark out, you can sit by a fire or lay out and look at the stars. You can find a quiet grassy place to kick off your shoes and practice grounding or yoga or meditation. Head to the beach and walk through the sand, listening to the waves and appreciating the absolute power that is the ocean.
The possibilities are endless.
And you can start with just five minutes and work your way up to longer or have several mini nature breaks throughout the day or dive in with full days or weeks. Whatever works best for you, your circumstances and your needs. Its totally adaptable and a lot of the time, it can be free. The key part is to just do it often.
I’d love to hear if any of this resonates with you, what you’re favorite ways are to get out in nature, and of course, if you have any questions at all or are interested in coaching services, just reach out.
Have a wonderful night everyone. And get outside tomorrow.
And of course, a reminder that if you need a little extra support, I’m your girl. I offer one on one coaching as well as a free facebook community for support. You can check get more info by clicking the links, and of course feel free to reach out to me with any additional questions.