Health benefits of being in nature.

“In every walk in nature, one receives far more than he seeks.” John Muir

One of my fondest childhood memories is about taking long walks with my dog around the farm where I grew up. Those long walks would help to process the challenges of growing up in an alcoholic home. Similarly, early in my nursing career I lived and worked in Vancouver, B.C. where plants and trees are abundant all year round.  I found that I would easily destress from a crazy shift in the emergency room by just walking home. It is no wonder that I have found my greatest healing by being in nature.

A Japanese doctor invented the practice of Shinrinyoku also known as Forest bathing.  He conducted studies in 2005 in response to dense urbanization and high stress levels in the Japanese society. The studies showed the many benefits such as improved immune system, reduced  stress hormones and reduced blood pressure and blood sugars.

Nature helps to bring the experience of awe into one’s life. The beauty after a fresh snowfall , the first sound of a Robin in the spring or a starry sky are just a few of the abundance of nature’s gifts waiting to inspire. I experience the joy of a quiet mind and hearing my inner wisdom on my daily walks. One of my favorite ones includes a Medicine wheel that overlooks the city. 

Studies have shown that it is the natural aromatherapy and silence in the forests that produce the greatest benefits. One can find benefit from sitting in their back yard or in their home beside a plant. The key is to silence the mind and experience the natural vibrations of the plants or trees through all five senses for at least 20 minutes.  I have found great benefit from pulling the abundance of weeds in my garden.

Recent studies have also shown that even watching nature videos provide great benefit, “experiencing natural environments in various real or computerize forms produces measurable and reliable brain activity markers which are known to be related to cognitive and emotional restorative processes.”

Being with our pets is another amazing way to experience the beautiful vibration of nature. My dogs have taught me a lot about appreciating the small things and being in the moment.

These are all great ways to start the practice of quieting the mind to listen in to your body’s amazing wisdom to contribute to optimal health and healing of body, mind and spirit.

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