Research indicates spending 120 minutes a week outdoors engaged in physical activities improves health and overall well-being. It may include 2 half-hour brisk walks, meditative moments noticing the landscape and its inhabitants, and playing a sport, game, or participating in a physical activity with family or friends. Riding bikes, picnicking, or tending a community garden each week are just a few leisure time activities that encourage optimal health and happiness.
This post has been updated 10/1/23
A simple, refreshing way to take in the good vibes of the great outdoors is with a one minute grounding meditation. This one is from Mindful.org, and was written by Cara Bradley, who also is in a video that goes along with it.
Want to absorb the refreshing energy of nature? Use your imagination to see the colors of nature. Then, look at the collage below.
Green energy creates balance, harmony, self-compassion, and rejuvenation. Read Use Energy from Green to Refresh You and Your Home.
Gold, rust, amber, scarlet, and browns of autumn leaves and soil remind us of transitions. These colors provide grounding energy and connection to Mother Earth. Get suggestions for outdoor activities that are fun for the whole family here.
If you prefer, dream about a place where there's a broad expanse of sea, sand, and sky or picture it in your mind's eye.
Aquamarine and the green blue colors of a waterfall, ocean, lakes, or stream are colors that create a sense of expansiveness and tranquility. Sea blues of azure and sapphire remind our body and intuition to "go with the flow." This energy shift helps reduce tension and attachment to outcomes.
It's surprising how many ways nature impacts well-being. It reduces stress, anger, fear, physical aches, and emotional pain including depression or anxiety.
Notice how easily natural surroundings awaken awe and wonder in you.
A large-scale nature engagement study conducted by the Wildlife Trust in the UK showed its participants, over a 30 day span, took greater notice of nature's beauty, their own physiological and emotional responses to nature, and felt an interconnectedness to their surroundings that led to improved happiness, health, and conservation behaviors.
Use your senses to tune into the sights, sounds, aromas, textures, and pace of nature. When you bring mindfulness to the time you spend in nature, it reduces stress, heals, and renews enthusiasm in you.
When you take a break in nature, it shifts your perspective. Getting outdoors away from screens and other electronic devices, helps you relax.
You'll notice down time helps you feel refreshed and improves your ability to concentrate, once you resume your work.
In fact, one recent study conducted at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston shows women may live longer in green environments.
Make time to get outside for even a few minutes a day. Enjoy relaxing or exercising outdoors, get a healthy dose of sunlight for Vitamin D, and give thanks for this inexpensive, fun way to enrich daily living.
Please comment below. 😊 I read and appreciate each one, but will not publish comments when they contain links. Thanks for understanding. 💗
What outdoor activities do you enjoy participating in and why?
Do you feel physically, mentally, and spiritually uplifted when you see a sunset, sunrise, the first snow, a deer in the woods, or a majestic mountain? Explain. What natural wonder makes your heart sing?
Yes to green blue colors as well as a waterfall, ocean, lake, or stream! I can't like anything about fall because it means to me that summer and warm weather are ending. Thanks so much for linking up at the #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty 4. Shared.
ReplyDeleteHear you Dee. Thanks for hosting such a fun month long blog party, and see you next time at #UnlimitedMonthlyLinkParty.
DeleteNature makes me happy but especially sunny days with blue skies.
ReplyDeleteKnow what you mean Carol. I love nature and the sunshine too. I love the rain as well. We're very thankful here in Tucson that for the last two days it's rained. Be well and enjoy this beautiful day.
DeleteIt doesn't have to be big nature - even the flowers in the gardens in the street will lift my mood! Good post
ReplyDeleteThanks Lydia for the visit and comment. Yes, you're right. Any connection to plants, flowers, and vegetation (even eating a delicious green salad) can lift my mood.Have a beautiful day.
DeleteI try to ensure that I am outdoors, surrounded by colourful nature, every day. Your research is fascinating. Thank you for sharing this! #MLSTL
ReplyDeleteSo self-caring to make the time to be outdoors, surrounded by colourful nature, every day. Appreciate your visit. Have a beautiful day and thanks.
DeleteMy favorites are the deep blues and aquamarines of summer. Interestingly enough, though, is that each season brings new beauty and I embrace the fall, winter and spring tones as well. I believe in the power of nature. Love this post!
ReplyDeleteI celebrate each season too. Colors are everywhere. All we need to do is be present to see each season brings new beauty. Have a beautiful day and thanks for the comment.
DeleteI love the serenity of blues, aquas and teals and the idea of how they connect into nature - nothing beats a walk in the greenery and then add in a little bit of water for some icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up with us at MLSTL and I've shared on my SM :)
My pleasure Leanne to link up at #MLSTL and thanks for hosting. Appreiate your comment and wish you a sparkling day.
DeleteHi Nancy,
ReplyDeleteI believe spending time in nature is so important for our physical and mental health and our whole well-being. Blue skies do make me feel happy and the colors of nature all have a positive effect on how I feel. Thanks for sharing your tips and information. Have a healthy, happy & blessed day!
Get energized and motivated to get outdoors, especially when I read comments like yours. Thanks for the visit and hugs to you.
DeleteGood morning Nancy:
ReplyDeleteLovely post, thank you. I was well-involved with #HPHP (Healthy Parks, Healthy People) this summer at Presqu'ile and it is the very same philosophy. Thank you for sharing.
Thanks Pamela for the kind comment. What a wonderful way to serve the planet and people this summer and thank you for the visit.
DeleteHi Nancy, I miss my tranquil SW Florida waters every day, but the green (soon to be gold/brown/orange) colors of the Midwest are always beckoning me to come out and be refreshed. Being outside is a big part of my self-care.
ReplyDeleteThanks Candi for the visit and comment. Finding gratitude wherever we're planted is a gift we can give ourselves. Have a colorful season and be well.
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