This is a recommendation I regularly give to patients, especially
if they're feeling chronically stressed or anxious. It's a simple step,
yet so powerful. It's getting outside and connecting with nature!
This
may seem like a peculiar "health and happiness" recommendation to make!
But, this was a vital component when I needed to re-create overall
balance, happiness and health in my life following a very stressful
period. For me, the outdoors is one of the critical pieces to the
puzzle. Regardless of where you live and what time of the year it is, I
feel it's a necessary component of balanced living for all of us.
I
don't believe we were intended to live in the captivity of our
workplaces, cars, shopping malls and homes. We are part of nature - part
of the entire ecosystem. In my opinion, we need to stay connected to it
in order to achieve overall balance. Personally, I thrive when I get
outside every single day. Easier said than done when it's insanely cold
and miserable out!
I'd say it's well worth my effort though. I
notice that my thinking is clearer, I have more energy and a much better
attitude when I do this. Fresh air is healing and energizing, as is
natural light. Our bodies and minds don't function at their optimal
levels in stale, indoor air and artificial lighting, day in and day out.
I
do as much as I can outside: I take the kids out for play time,
exercise and meals. We've done plenty of home school lessons while
sitting outside. I do my morning rituals out on the dock in the spring
through fall. I read outside when I get the chance. As often as possible
I do my cardio exercise outside. I actually like the widely varying
weather conditions that Michigan provides!
On days that it's too
dangerous to exercise outside, or just too miserable to do much of
anything outside, I have a quick little routine I do. I step out onto
our deck, look up at the big pine trees next to me and take a few deep
breaths of fresh air as I do some nice lengthening stretches. I look up
at the sky, look out at the lake... take another deep breath as I
appreciate all the natural beauty. Then I run inside! I can even recall a
couple times when I just opened the window to do this routine. Must
have been pretty cold!
In those glorious spring, summer and fall
months, the benefits of the outdoors are obvious. Sunshine offers the
healing benefits of light itself, as well as vitamin D. We also tend to
exercise and stay more active during these months. We eat outside, work
outside and play outside. Fair weather fans, we are! The crisp air of
winter has a unique blessing of its own - not much else can invigorate
you so quickly! Plus, frozen nostrils just remind you how alive you are,
don't they?!
Action Step:
Make the effort to get outside
and connect with nature every single day. If (you think) your only
chance to get outside is while you're rushing to and from your car
during your busy routine, then allow at least 30 extra seconds in your
routine to stop the craziness and connect with nature in some small way.
Look up at a tree, listen to the birds, feel the breeze or smell a
flower.
Another one of my "but-I'm-so-busy" favorites is to crack
the window in the car while sitting at a stop light and just look around
you at the sky and the trees. Yes, I'm still paying attention to the
traffic conditions! The sky is different every single day - even when
it's gray! Take some deep breaths and soak it all in.
You are becoming a fully balanced, completely healthy human being! Enjoy the process!
Until next time, Be Happy, Be Well and Smile!
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Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Colleen_Trombley
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