Nurtured By Nature
Last weekend my husband and I spent a full day power-washing our outdoor furniture and living spaces. We did this to prepare to enjoy the warmer weather outside. When I am feeling down, the fastest route to an improved state of mind for me is getting outside. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a great way to improve mental health is to get out in nature.
According to the American Psychological Association research from Gregory Bratman, Ph.D., an assistant professor at the University of Washington, and colleagues shared evidence that contact with nature is associated with increases in happiness, subjective well-being, positive affect, positive social interactions, and a sense of meaning and purpose in life, as well as decreases in mental distress. Learn more about the research here.
Just getting outside for 15 minutes a day can boost your mood. Here are some ideas:
Nature Walk – As you walk on a trail draw your attention to one of your senses. For example, feel the bark of a tree or the breeze on your skin, listen to the birds chirping, smell the flowers or earth, look for footprints of animals. Not only will your mood be improved by this connection to nature, it will also serve as a form of meditation.
Go Camping – Disconnecting from the world and especially screens is therapeutic in and of itself. Laying under the stars and smelling the fresh air can help put things in perspective.
Cook Out – Eating outside with family and friends can promote connectedness and presence with others, not to mention the great outdoors.
House Plants – Bring the outdoors inside with plants. Studies have shown that plants reduce the activation of the stress hormone, cortisol. For more interesting facts about the benefits of houseplants and mental health, check out this article in the Washington Post.
If you are in a mental health crisis and you need immediate help, call 911. There is also a new national mental health hotline you can reach by dialing 988. It offers 24/7 call, text, and chat access to trained crisis counselors who can help people experiencing suicidal, substance use, and/or mental health crises, or any other kind of emotional distress.
Inquiry Question: What is something you noticed outside today that you have not noticed before?
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