Mindful Experiences

During my time outdoors, I have learned to look up. Trees are in their full glory in summer. Various shades of green are layered throughout the forest. Thick canopies create shade and protection, homes and habitats are offered for wildlife, swaying leaves and branches become a greeting, and healing benefits are freely exchanged with humans.

"Exposure to forests strengthens our immune system, reduces blood pressure, increases energy, boosts our mood and helps us regain and maintain our focus in ways that treeless environments just don’t. ... Even 20 minutes in a forested space is enough to produce positive changes in the body. ... Phytoncides improve the human immune system by increasing natural killer cell activity. Other benefits from phytoncides include an increase in anti-cancer proteins; a reduction in blood pressure, heart rate and stress hormones; reduced test scores for anxiety, depression, anger, fatigue, and confusion; and increased scores for vigor." (source: www.fs.usda.gov)

We spent the vast majority of human history learning from the land and living in reciprocity with it. It's no wonder that we are now feeling off as a species in so many ways. We have lost an intimate and vital connection that grounds us.

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Mindful Outdoor Experiences are chances to reconnect with nature, yourself, and others in an approachable way. There is a sense of inner knowing that these experiences start to tap into.

I invite you to look up this week. Step outside of your house, or pause on a walk to look up into a tree canopy. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? ... What do you feel? ... Take time to simply notice. Maybe take a deep breath and offer a word of thanks to the tree(s). It's a small but significant start to finding our way back home to the land ... and ultimately to ourselves.