Follow************************************************************************************************************************************************ How to Relieve Stress by Getting in Touch with Nature
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Are you stressed to the max? Maybe you’ve tried taking medicine, curbing your sugar addiction, cutting out activities, but nothing is relieving your stress. To really get rid of stress, sometimes you just need to take your body out of the equation and do something a little out of the ordinary. It’s time to relieve stress and get in touch with nature.
Swimming with Nature
We all head to the pool in the summertime, but what about a local beach? Getting in touch with dirt, sand, and natural water is one way to get in touch with nature. Swimming, splashing, dunking, diving, and just enjoying water is one way to relieve stress. Let’s not forget about swimming. Swimming is a great exercise, and exercise is a great way to relieve stress.
Walking with Nature
While taking a walk along the street is nice, it does not get you up close and personal with nature. Pick out a local park and see if it has a trail that you can borrow for a couple of hours. Take charge of this trail and don’t be afraid to get dirty. Run, sprint, look, listen, touch, feel and really check out what’s going on in those woods. Talk to yourself, meditate, pray, or do whatever you need to do to get that stress off of your shoulders. If you live in a hot area, then try to go during the early morning hours or late afternoon. This, of course, does not mean to put yourself in possible danger by going to a secluded park when it is dark out.
Getting Your Hands Dirty
Do you know why kids enjoy playing in the dirt? It makes them feel stress free and well, like a kid. As an adult, don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty. If you’re too embarrassed to play in the dirt, don’t be. You can pretend you are gardening or you can actually garden if you want. Just feeling the earth beneath your fingernails is an amazing feeling; don’t be afraid to try it.
Go Fly a Kite
This is a serious suggestion and one that should not be taken lightly. So many times our minutes are sucked away by the internet, TV, and phones that our stress levels have hit an all time high. Doing something simple like flying a kite will help you get in touch with nature on so many levels. First of all, you will be learning a new skill, but secondly— you will be outdoors enjoying the beautiful sun on your skin and wind in your face. But, don’t forget the sunscreen!
Exercise Outside
So many times we head to the gym to exercise and to relieve stress and we miss out on the sunshine and beautiful smelling flowers. Skip the gym today and do your work out outside. Let your feet hit some trails, hit the local lake and dive right in, or bike around your town’s trails. There are so many things you can do outside in nature to relieve stress. Maybe even leave your head phones at home, so you can really take in every sound of nature. Completing this exercise in the morning will allow you to take full advantage of the sunrise and the birds chirping.
Getting outside and into nature is something that we don’t do enough. Perhaps it’s why we are faced with more stress these days. Do not be afraid to get outside, get dirty, and enjoy life on the outside a little more.
I fell in love with this photo that one of my friends took while on vacation in Michigan. It is the Arch Rock which is located on Mackinac Island. Just looking at this picture made me feel so relaxed! I bet it is a beautiful place to visit. Click the colored text to learn more about Arch Rock.
If it is not time for a vacation due to work or your budget, think about relieving your stress by visiting a historical monument or something of historical value in your local vicinity. You could also take a hike in your local park or wildlife sanctuary. Remember to look at the flowers while out and about as they will certainly lift your spirits.
