My life has been...well...very stressful lately. Wait a minute. Let me rephrase that. "I" have been making my life very stressful lately. When things really got overwhelming, one of the first things I did...go for a long walk in the woods. It didn't matter what the weather was. I went in the extreme cold, a really snowy day, very early in the morning...any time I could get out and walk! At first, it was difficult. I was so focused on how miserable things were, I wasn't taking in the moment. Eventually, my goal became getting up the mountain (both figuratively and physically). So, I took one of the harder hikes up in Ramapo Reservation and climbed the steep path. I thought to myself "If I can get up this mountain without complaining and crying and carrying on, I can get up the mountain I put in front of me in life." So...I climbed. I hiked. I calmed down over the weeks. And...I'm working on getting up the mountain...step by step.
I read an article in YES! Magazine today. And related to it. Especially after an 8 mile hike yesterday up in Ringwood which brought me through some truly beautiful areas and then went for a couple of miles today with some friends and had such a wonderful time. I REALLY enjoyed myself outdoors.
So, in the article, this quote rang true. "Scientists are beginning to find evidence that being in nature has a profound impact on our brains and our behavior, helping us to reduce anxiety, brooding, and stress, and to increase our attention capacity, creativity, and ability to connect with other people."
"... scientists may believe nature benefits our well-being, we live in a society where people spend more and more time indoors and online—especially children."
I won't owe my being a little bit happier in my life...kinder too to just being in nature. It takes a will on my part. But being in nature is certainly helping the process. I have a long way to go, but I have begun to ascend the mountain.
The warm weather is coming folks. Get out into nature! Oh...and take the kids and dogs along as well!
To read the article, click here:
http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/we-know-nature-makes-us-happier-now-science-says-it-makes-us-kinder-too-20160312
I read an article in YES! Magazine today. And related to it. Especially after an 8 mile hike yesterday up in Ringwood which brought me through some truly beautiful areas and then went for a couple of miles today with some friends and had such a wonderful time. I REALLY enjoyed myself outdoors.
So, in the article, this quote rang true. "Scientists are beginning to find evidence that being in nature has a profound impact on our brains and our behavior, helping us to reduce anxiety, brooding, and stress, and to increase our attention capacity, creativity, and ability to connect with other people."
"... scientists may believe nature benefits our well-being, we live in a society where people spend more and more time indoors and online—especially children."
I won't owe my being a little bit happier in my life...kinder too to just being in nature. It takes a will on my part. But being in nature is certainly helping the process. I have a long way to go, but I have begun to ascend the mountain.
The warm weather is coming folks. Get out into nature! Oh...and take the kids and dogs along as well!
To read the article, click here:
http://www.yesmagazine.org/planet/we-know-nature-makes-us-happier-now-science-says-it-makes-us-kinder-too-20160312
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