De-stress • Mother Nature • Life Giving • Balance • Natural Rhythm
Whether you’re walking through a city park or you’re hiking a mountain trail, it feels great. It wakes us up, revives our senses, and makes us breathe out loud. The endorphins that we gain from a simple walk, not to mention a strenuous hike cannot be purchased.
In fact, there’s not much other than stealing a kiss from a sleeping baby that fills us with more happy, contented feelings than being out-of-doors.
So, I invite you to continue reading to learn about healthy ways to de-stress with Mother Nature.
Mother Nature (sometimes known as Mother Earth or the Earth Mother) is a Greco-Roman personification of nature that focuses on the life-giving and nurturing aspects of nature by embodying it, in the form of the mother.
Mother Nature – Wikipedia
Why You Need To De-Stress With Mother Nature
1. Enjoy Natural Movements in a Natural Rhythm
Most of us are busy everyday rushing from one place to the other. First, you’re rushing from home to school or work or both if you’re dropping off children. Next, you’re fighting rush-hour traffic that can rattle even the most stable among us. Then, you’re dealing with conforming to the ‘time clock’ of modern economics which is a source of stress in itself.
Even if you work from home, there’s pressure to meet deadlines and submit proposals for more work. Furthermore, the process never ends. Rather, it keeps barreling forward with no end in sight. Needless to say, this type of lifestyle eventually leads to depression and other physical and mental illnesses for far too many people.
2. When Out In Nature, Time Seems to Slow Down
Out in Nature, it is, however, different. Time seems to slow down making it immensely easier to de-stress. The fact is Mother Nature simply doesn’t buy into the human race’s concept of time. Period. Mother Nature does her own thing – no matter how long it takes. Or, in the case of natural disasters like twisters and earthquakes, no matter how quickly things change.
But, the point remains, out in nature, we get to take time to literally smell the flowers. We get to take time to do what the animals and plants are already doing – getting into our own individual rhythm.
We also get to remember our connection with the earth which is a profound piece of who we are as inhabitants of this world. Stating it simply, being in nature allows us to de-stress naturally while enjoying the beauty of our surroundings.
This may seem unusual for some, but it works for me. I like to take a flower bud or blossom – any variety – and stare at it for a long time. It seems to slow everything down all around me and I see the tiny lines and seeds and color combinations. It’s fascinating and it’s an easy way to de-stress!
3. Nature Sets a Good Example of Sustainability
Mother Nature inherently blasts our human concept of “over-consumption is a good thing.” In this world of ‘me-me-me-I-I-I’, ‘more is always better’, and ‘new is always better’, spending time in nature teaches us something different.
This might look like the number of nuts a squirrel stores for the winter. Does a squirrel store more than is necessary for his survival? Never. Why do humans? I know each of us might come up with a different answer to that question, depending on our individual backgrounds, but here are some of my observations:
⎆ The Need to Feel A ‘Part Of’
Who hasn’t wanted to feel ‘a part of’ by wearing the right clothes, hair, make-up, taking part in sports, going to restaurants, etc? But, some also need a new outfit for every occasion because they aren’t comfortable being seen in the same outfit twice. This is a good example of how over-consumption can quickly snowball out of control.
⎆ What If You Keep Too Many Things?
If you’ve ever gone through hard times, you might live in fear of losing everything so you over-compensate by buying extra of everything and then want to keep those things – even if you don’t use them anymore. This is a common anxiety response to people who live through economic depressions and recessions, so you are certainly not alone if this describes you.
⎆ I Must Craft My Image!
Some people like to ‘look’ a certain way so that other people think that they are financially wealthier than they are to attract people into their lives who actually are wealthy. This is a common practice among the business community. To dress a certain way gives an facade of both responsibility and inclusion – assuming, of course, that you’re wearing the right ensemble for the right occasion.
Building and living this type of ‘front’ is exhausting and there has to be an outlet somewhere. It’s after events such as these that you’ll need to get away to de-stress with Mother Nature.
As I said before, that list can go on and on… But, whatever the reason is for humans over-consuming, it’s a low energy behavior that needs some adjustments.
This is the teaching Mother Nature gives us:
Just Enough is Sustainable
Over Consumption is Not Sustainable
In nature, every thing uses what it needs and leaves the rest. The trees don’t ‘dress up’ to impress anyone – they are beautiful and abundant as they naturally are. Nut gatherers don’t store more than they need to make it through the winter months.
Plants grow according to the nutrients in the soil and the amount of water that is available to them. Moreover, all plants and animals work hard every day to grow and survive. These are all brilliant life examples to strive to live by.
Spending time in nature reminds us of these earthly qualities and brings us back into balance with the natural rhythm of the cycle of life while allowing us to de-stress in a very easy and natural way.
4. Sunlight & Good Moods Go Hand-in-Hand
Sunlight is the best, most readily available natural source of vitamin D. In fact, the minute a sun ray hits your skin, your skin begins a process that leads to the activation of vitamin D. Even spending 20 – 30 minutes on your balcony each day will keep you healthier and in better spirits.
Lack of vitamin D is the cause of many illnesses such as high blood pressure, depression, osteoporosis, and dementia. So, no matter where you live or work, make it a part of your daily routine to take a sunlight break and soak in some rays. Then, while you’re out there, listen to the wind rustling through the tree tops with the birds chirping and singing away. Breath in the fresh air, close your eyes, and listen to the sounds of nature while you naturally de-stress.
Conclusion
It is our wish that you find this post enlightening and helpful. If you have any questions or suggestions, we love to hear from you in the comments below. Also, kindly accept our invitation to join our group on Facebook to surround yourself with kindred spirits and post your encouraging messages.
