What if I said there is a free or low cost pill to help you with your stress, would you want to know more about how to get it?
What if I said to you that pill was in your own back yard or within walking distance for many with no lines of people, would you want to know more?
What if I said going into the woods or in nature is better than any pill to reduce stress, would you believe me?
Many of you have seen the pictures and hear about my journeys in nature and what it does for me, my anxiety, stress, CPTSD and my soul if you follow me on Healing With Spirit on Facebook, YouTube or Instagram.
For me, going into nature is a way for me to ground, reboot, relax, release, and connect to the divine around me and within me. I especially find something very comforting being in the mountains, but woods, trees, water, ocean, beach can all work for me too. It’s one of my main tools to me manage my triggers, anxiety and CPTSD.
For me it has been better than any pill ever given to me or as this study argues “nature pills could be a low-cost solution to reduce the negative health impacts stemming from growing urbanization and indoor lifestyles dominated by screen viewing”.
Because of my daily spiritual hygiene including meditation, energy healing, proper diet, and nature, I have removed all my medications I was on for my CPTSD. To read more about my nature healing journeys, click here to scroll my blog.
Here’s a study coming out of the University of Michigan that says “Just 20 minutes of contact with nature will lower stress hormone levels”
STUDY SUMMARY:
“Taking at least 20 minutes out of your day to stroll or sit in a place that makes you feel in contact with nature will significantly lower your stress hormone levels. That’s the finding of a study that has established for the first time the most effective dose of an urban nature experience. Healthcare practitioners can use this discovery to prescribe ‘nature-pills’ in the knowledge that they have a real measurable effect.”
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
In Japan, this is called “Shinrin-yoku” (Oprah), which was first introduced by Dr. Qing Li and the Forest Agency of the Japanese government in 1982 when doctors began prescribing spending time in nature to help their stressed-out patients.
Shinrin-yoku 森林浴, which can be defined as “taking in the forest atmosphere or forest bathing”, has been receiving increasing attention in Japan in recent years for its capacity to provide relaxation and reduce stress. Since 2004, there have been studies to ascertain the physiological effects of Shinrin-yoku within the framework of the “Therapeutic Effects of Forests” project. (NCBI; NIH)
Shinrin-yoku is considered to be one of the most accessible ways to get in touch with the natural world and to lower excessive stress to levels that are commensurate with what our bodies are “expected” to cope with.
WANT TO LEARN HOW:
Want to learn HOW to go into nature to reduce stress, create more insight, ground, and connect to the divine in nature and within, contact me TODAY .
Book a private and/or group 1-2 hour or half/full day sessions and groups TODAY.
5 SHINRIN-YOKU TIPS:
Here are 5 simple steps to remember when practicing shinrin-yoku:
- Leave your phone, camera or any other distractions behind. Do not take them with you.
- Leave behind your goals and especially your expectations.
- It is important to press the PAUSE from time to time, to look more closely at a leaf or notice the sensation.
- Find a comfy spot to take a seat and just listen to the sounds around you. Take it all in.
- If others go with you, take note. It is important to resist any form of talking or any other distractions until the end of the walk. At the end you share your experiences with each other. I personally find doing this with others challenging.
TO READ THE STUDY:
To read more about this study, click here.
with appreciation,
Laura
I am available for private sessions, speaking opportunities, workshop facilitation, events, and groups.
