Whether you live in a big city, in the suburbs, or tucked away in a small community somewhere, the hustle and bustle of life gets to us all. This is when many of us often retreat to those activities that help us destress and provide mind-body-soul rejuvination.
I bet you thought at this point I was going to dive into talking about the wonders of nature on the psyche...
Nope. Because spending time in nature is not most people's go-to activity to rejuvenate the mind, body and soul. In reality, most of us partake in activities that just help us unwind. Many jump onto their social media accounts, some binge-watch the new Netflix or Hulu original series, some go shopping in town or from the cushions of their couch, some reach for a glass of wine or get together with friends for a cold one to watch the game.
(Disclaimer: I myself partake in all the above. I'm as guilty as the next person. These activities can provide a much needed distraction from the incessant thoughts and worries clouding our mind.)
The reality is we exist in a technology-saturated world where our minds are bombarded with constant stimulation while depriving it of much needed time for meditation and contemplation.
It's time to turn it all off, at least for a little while.
I spent some time wandering along the Tuolumne River last weekend for some much needed nature time.
As I walked along the acorn-covered trail I listened to the calls of the scrub-jay and red-tailed hawk. And as I sat along the river, I watched the low afternoon light dance on the water’s surface and I soaked up the warm February sun.
This three-hour escape from my life quieted my mind. Giving me an opportunity to practice mindfulness, and find a sense of peace and content.
The power of nature on a person’s psyche has been discussed and studied extensively. Time in nature can:
Reduce the amount of blood flowing to the subgenual prefrontal cortex (part of the brain that is responsible for obsessive overthinking of life events or of daily tasks). Read more.
Improve cognitive abilities. Read more.
Reduce the level of cortisol (stress hormone) circulating in the blood. Read more.
Reduce mild depression by boosting endorphins (happy hormone). Read more.
Increase the opportunity for meditation and reflection. Read more.
The ability of our mind and body to forcibly slow the amount of blood flow to certain parts of the brain or to slow the levels of stress hormones circulating through our body is quite spectacular if you think about it. And what's even more fascinating, is the fact that being out in nature is directly related to these positive benefits on our psyche.
Do your psyche a favor. Put down the remote. Turn your phone wifi off. And get out in nature this week! Heck, bring your smartphone along to take some pictures, but try and resist the urge to use it beyond its camera capabilities.
Find a neighborhood park with green space or drive to a local trail in your area for a longer escape.
Live in the Northern Yosemite region of the Central Sierra Nevada? Check out CSERC's all new "10 Easy Sierra Day Hikes" brochure or link to our interactive trail map for all-season nature opportunities in the region.
Happy trails! 🙂
-Megan Layhee, CSERC Blogger
