Most of us remember that amazing feeling – waking up under the stars, camp embers still slightly burning, the crisp smell of fresh air, and the sheer beauty of our surroundings. There wasn’t a cell phone in sight – we even had our cameras put away the majority of the time. We were lost in that moment, when it felt like time stood still. What is it about the power of nature that gives us that sense of calm, wonderment, and happiness?
There are numerous studies supporting the benefits of spending time outside, even if it’s just 5 minutes.1 Nature can help instill a sense of calm, it can also make you happier, it can help increase your immunity, and it can massively help you in the workplace with creativity and productivity. It’s also great for the scientific development of children’s brains.2
Given so many positive attributes, it’s a wonder why we don’t take more time to head outside for just a few minutes. With work-related stress at consistently high levels,3 and with human beings looking at their phones an average of 1500 times per week,4 it is no surprise that there is a rapidly-increasing amount of attention towards the healing powers of nature.
In 2015, there were a record number of visitors to our national parks. Outside Magazine enjoyed an all-time high in readership. Even National Geographic is dedicating this entire year to posting content and imagery surrounding America’s national parks. (In fact, I highly recommend you that you read their incredible article on the scientific research surrounding the brain on nature). In addition, many workplace environments are integrating nature into their office design.
So what are you waiting for? Here are 4 easy ways to integrate more nature into your everyday life:
- Take a walking meeting with your team
- Spend 5 minutes meditating outside in your garden
- Take a 10 minute walk with your loved one before dinnertime
- Skip the treadmill and go for an outdoor jog
It is deeply ingrained in the human spirit – this sense of the outdoors and adventure. The pacifying effect of the color green. The smell of trees and flowers. The majestic beauty of river, lakes, and oceans. So the next time you need a natural pick-me-up, take a few minutes this weekend – alone or with a loved one – and allow yourself to look around, smell what’s in front of you, and give yourself the luxury of Mother Nature’s greatest gifts.
Keep on Rising,
Pete
3: https://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/stress/2014/stress-report.pdf
