Getting out in nature and freeing your mind
How often do you spend time outdoors, getting out into nature?
I don’t mean the commute to work, the school run or the weekly shopping trip, I mean being outdoors, with no distraction, just time spent enjoying fresh air, in beautiful surroundings, being at peace with yourself.
Recently, I hadn’t got out as much as usual and I noticed, I really noticed. I felt sluggish, tired all the time, perhaps a little cranky and my hips had stiffened up. Even climbing the stairs was starting to feel like an effort. I felt like I was walking through treacle!
Before I went on my Living My Best Life Journey, I couldn’t sleep, I never exercised and I had no stamina whatsoever, but, as part of my healing and stepping into the best version of myself, getting out into nature has become a “non-negotiable” thing for me.
Whether it’s a walk, a picnic, spending time in the woods just breathing, any activity that gets me out and about, I make sure it is included in my week and rather than it now being an effort, it’s sorely missed when it doesn’t happen!
We are so intrinsically linked to nature, our soul, the very air we need to breathe! When we connect back to it, we find ourselves again.
Especially in the modern world where there is no “off” button. How often in a day do you ever just let your mind rest, wander, explore your own thoughts rather than the ones that Tik Tok ram down your throat? You’d be surprised at just how much of our time is spent “consuming” complete rubbish, propaganda and sales.
Yes tech is helpful – you’re reading this for example, but when do we ever turn it off and remember how to be ourselves again, without anyone telling us how.
What it means to be in nature
When you are out in nature, away from distractions, from demands on your time, you allow yourself to just “exist” and recharge.
Next time you go out, put your phone on silent (if you can’t bear to leave it at home) and take time to notice all the different trees, the flowers, the birds, the birdsong, other animals, what you can see, hear, smell, taste, even touch – feel the bark on the different trees, pick up a few different leaves and see there different shape, colour, texture. Find a stone that has an interesting pattern on it. Pick up a stick, on the beach collect some shells. The possibilities for discovery are endless. Who knows, you might even make a picture, find a favourite tree to sit under, a perfect patch of grass to lie down and cloud watch.
When you take time to just be in nature, truly appreciate the surroundings and recapture the use of all your senses, the world really is a magical place.
Where will you take a walk?
Don’t want to do it alone? Join us on a walk in nature session, all details can be found at lizchaney.co.uk
