If there is anything missing in our lives, it is the feeling of awe.
We face a scarcity of moments that ignite our sense of wonder. There is little room left for the profound experiences that deepen our appreciation for the world around us.
Perhaps lack of awareness is why we neglect nature immersive experiences.
For a Fulfilling Life
Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair. ~ Khalil Gibran
A study conducted by the University of California, Berkeley found that exposure to natural environments led to enhanced well-being and a greater sense of life satisfaction. As we immerse ourselves in the grandeur of natural wonders, we witness the profound benefits that ignite vitality within us, while our mental well-being blossoms amidst the serenity of lush landscapes.
A life well lived finds the peace it seeks in natural experiences.
For Better Sleep
Findings published in the recent issue of Preventive Medicine show that increasing the amount of time you spend outdoors can improve sleep quality, particularly for men and people over the age of 65. Exposure to daylight resets our ricardian rhythm and promotes deep sleep.
Think about it this way - if you are relaxed, there is no inflammation in your body and your immune system is ticking along nicely - you will sleep better. The physiological benefits of time outdoors that improve our cardiovascular health will let us sleep easier.
For Deeper Connection
In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. ~ Albert Camus
Nature provides a vital antidote to the social isolation and disconnection that plagues our screen driven lives. Researchers at Stanford University discovered that awe-inspiring moments foster a sense of deep connection and promote prosocial behaviour.
Nature teaches us that we need strong bonds with others to thrive. We need increased empathy, and a greater willingness to cooperate and collaborate to be better individuals. It is the most extraordinary gift bestowed upon us by nature.
We strengthen our social fabric, and rediscover the profound interconnectedness of all living things when we are open to learning from the natural world.
Concept of Time
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. ~ Lao Tzu
With so many benefits linked to nature, we naturally wonder - How much time outside is enough?
Researchers found that people who had spent at least two hours or more outside reported significantly greater health and mental well-being. That pattern was true across subgroups including older adults and people with chronic health problems.
Now that you have the answer, don’t just hurry to log the 2 hours you need. Remember that nature’s concept of time isn’t the same as yours.
Nature’s clock is more expansive - It looks at growth as the continuum. Seed to a tree, streams to rivers, rocks to sand.
In nature, time is inclusive - Each season is empowered to play by nature's rules and to achieve its goals. Summers bring withering and decay, rains bring rebirth and germination, and winters are for growth and sustaining in harsh conditions.
And time in nature is cyclical - If you don’t get a chance now there will always be another when the clock hands returns to the same position. Eclipses, population cycles, ebbing and surge of the waves in the sea all have their turn before they fade away.
The key takeaway is building patience with your life, with others and with your goals. There is no hurry to get to the other end.
In a world where awe has become scarce, nature serves as a limitless reservoir, offering us the transformative power to restore and replenish our sense of wonder.
If a mountain of neuroscientific evidence tells us that regular nature exposure optimizes brain function, we should listen.
Let us heed nature's gentle call, venture into its majestic realms, and embark on a journey of self-discovery, healing, and the boundless joy of human connection.
With MyTrailPals, we are creating opportunities to facilitate these deep experiences.