For those who don’t spend time in nature…I highly recommend it. Nature has such a restorative and therapeutic power.
The most at peace I have ever been in my life was when I was on vacation in Colombia, walking alone in nature. It is in these moments of solitude, with time to reflect and simply be that I can feel grateful for my life, that I can have the perspective to appreciate so much more in my life.
I never realized how much it calmed me before either. In college, I would walk through the woods in Missouri when I was feeling anxious or stressed about school. In med school I would enjoy the beautiful desert sunsets in El Paso on my drives home from clinic or school. In Milwaukee I would walk along the shore of Lake Michigan after a rough night shift at the hospital.
Now when I feel stressed, overwhelmed, confused, or just need to regain a sense of peace and stillness, nature is where I turn. (And this is coming from the girl/kid who hated getting sweaty and dirty. Now I live for it!)
And it’s no wonder. Science has proven that it’s not just me noticing it’s psychological benefits, my body may be responding to the physical benefits as well. Researchers have “found that spending time in, or living close to, natural green spaces is associated with diverse and significant health benefits. It reduces the risk of type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, premature death, and preterm birth, and increases sleep duration.”
Where is your favorite nature spot? Share with me!
(For those who don’t know… I am doing “30 days to 30” and sharing life lessons and stories in order to celebrate my birthday—hoping to break stigmas and stereotypes about what 30 means and looks like)
