Ahh… the pleasure of being surrounded by nature. Have you noticed that when you enter a beautiful garden or walk near a lake or forest your mood improves and body relaxes? Connecting with nature on a daily basis can greatly improve our wellbeing, however many people don’t take the time to enjoy it.
“Parks and other natural environments are a fundamental health resource, particularly in terms of disease prevention” (Maller et al. 2008). Researchers are demonstrating the positive effects of nature on blood pressure, cholesterol, outlook on life, and stress reduction. It has also proven beneficial to those with attention deficit disorder (Kuo and Taylor 2004).
Spending time in nature also has been linked to longevity and decreased risk of mental illness in studies in Scandinavia and the Netherlands (De Vries et al. 2003, Grahn and Stigsdotter 2003). Health benefits of nature may also have relevance to injury prevention and control, diabetes, asthma, arthritis, musculoskeletal conditions, and other maladies, including cancer (Li 2009).
Spring’s beauty is here! Do your body and mind a favor, make some
time and enjoy the beauty and wonders of nature. The next time you are outdoors, I encourage you to take a moment to enjoy nature by breathing in deeply. Focus on all your senses to help quiet your mind and re-energize your spirit; see all the different colors around you, smell the sweetness of a flowering tree, feel the wind and sun on your face, hear the song birds sing, walk barefoot in the grass, etc.
For those of us in the Greendale area, we are fortunate to have many locations nearby to enhance our nature experience. We can take a walk around Scout Lake, Boerner Botanical gardens, Whitnall Park Nature Center, Root River Parkway (and many other parkways), shores of Lake Michigan, and even the Domes on rainy days.
If you are unable to be outdoors due to health limitations, I encourage you to open a window in your home and look outside, or close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and imagine yourself in nature. In your imagination, take notice of the colors around you, take a deep breath and imagine yourself smelling a beautiful flower, listen for the song birds, etc. You can also bring nature indoors by surrounding yourself with flowers and indoor plants.
When we stop to enjoy what nature has to offer we give our body and mind a gift. Give yourself a gift today! Stop and enjoy this beautiful spring. Enjoy!
Maller, C.; Townsend, M.; St. Leger, L.; et al. 2008. Healthy parks, healthy people: the health benefits of contact with nature in a park context. Melbourne, Australia: Deakin University and Parks Victoria.
Kuo, F.; Taylor, A. 2004. A potential natural treatment for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder: evidence from a national study. American Journal of Public Health. 94(9): 1580–1586.
Li, Q. 2009. Effect of forest bathing trips on human immune function. Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine. 15(1): 9–17.
De Vries, S.; Verheij, R.; Groenewegen, H.; Spreeuwenberg, P.
2003. Natural environments—healthy environments? An exploratory analysis of the relationship between green space and health. Environment and Planning. 35(10): 1717–1731.\
Grahn, P.; Stigsdotter, U.A. 2003. Landscape planning and stress.
Urban Forestry and Urban Greening. 2: 1–18.
What I have been noticing is that many women are ignoring their stress level while taking care of everyone else's needs. They are rushing here and rushing there not allowing time to take care of themselves. Often what happens is they burnout from chronic stress - pain increases, fatigue increases, anxiety increases, as their health and quality of life decreases. Does this sound like you?
Let me remind you - You only get one body, one life. If you don't take action now, to slow down and start taking care of yourself, you are putting yourself at high risk for chronic health problems. I encourage you to put yourself on a path of wellness, starting right now.
You Don't Have the Time?
One way to find time is to reassess what you are doing every day, eliminate the time wasters and start scheduling 'me time' into your week. Make 'me time' as important as your board meetings, doctor visits and family responsibilities. 'Me time' activities could include receiving craniosacral therapy, Reiki or a holistic wellness session. These type of treatment sessions can help calm your nervous system reducing production of cortisol, the 'stress hormone', in your body (elevated cortisol levels interfere with memory, lower immune function, lead to adrenal fatigue, heart disease...the list goes on and on).
Other 'me time' activities could be walking in nature, meditating, reading a thought provoking book, spontaneity, and my favorite 'me time' activity...taking a nap! :)
You Don't Have the Money for Your Wellness?
There is money to be found if you get creative. Below are some things that I did to help me find money to fund my wellness plan, perhaps the ideas may help you:
Every time you want to go out for dinner, but don't, put the money you would have spent in your wellness bank. Every time you want to buy another pair of shoes, but don't, put the money in your wellness bank. Eliminate cable channels you rarely watch ($5 a month for Cinemax channel = $60 savings a year!). Have a rummage sale (also clears the clutter from your life). Brew your own tea or coffee rather than buying at Starbucks. Cash-in your change jar. Talk to family about contributing to your wellness cost (I called it Jean's Wellness Fund, I said it as a joke, but you'd be surprise how many wanted to contribute).
I encourage you to make your wellness a priority before things get worse. You are important. Give yourself permission!
Start right now.
What are your ideas for finding time and money for your wellness plans? Please share!
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