Spend Some Time With Nature
Spring is on its way! That means April Showers, May Flowers, and better weather coming our way. Nature is not only beautiful but engaging with it has mental, emotional, and physical health benefits. There are many different ways to engage with nature, including:
Taking a walk
Exercising outdoors
Being around animals
Growing food or flowers
Viewing scenes of nature
Eating a meal outdoors
Taking your work outdoors
Doing a mindfulness activity outdoors
Nature has been shown to provide us with mental and emotional benefits, such as:
Improve mood
Improve sleep
Reduce stress or anxiety
Faster psychological stress recovery
Reduce anger or fear
Increase energy levels
Increase feelings of relaxation and calm
Improve confidence and self-esteem
Help you take a time out to slow down
Spending time in nature has also shown to result in cognitive benefits, including improved attention and memory.
Besides helping you be more active, I was surprised to learn that it even provides us with other physical benefits*, such as reducing:
Blood pressure
Heart rate
Muscle tension
Production of stress hormones, including cortisol and adrenaline
With all the benefits of individual therapy and the added benefits of spending time with nature, I could not resist offering the option of Walk and Talk counseling sessions. In Wisconsin, it can feel like Winter takes up a majority of the year, and it can be easy to forget that Wisconsin does actually get some beautiful weather throughout the year. I am so excited to have the option to take our counseling sessions outdoors and take advantage of the Spring, Summer, and Fall weather here in Wisconsin.
Because Winter feels so long here, I also have treadmills available at the office, so that we can continue Walk and Talk sessions throughout the year!
*https://www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/how-does-nature-impact-our-wellbeing
“The wilderness is healing, a therapy for the soul.”