Using Nature

Ahh the beauty of nature. Makes you want to just take a nice deep breath. Yes breathe… breathe and relax.

If a picture can cause that reaction and make us feel more relaxed….then the real thing will help us to achieve even more stress reduction. Need proof?

Watch a condensed version of this article on YouTube https://youtu.be/TYxRnvlTV0U

The Los Angeles Times reported on some studies proving just this point. In one study from Texas, the participants relaxed after only 3 minutes of nature viewing. An earlier study was found where hospital patients with views of greenery were discharged a day earlier than patients with views of a brick wall. And other studies show it just takes 5 minutes for your body to show reduced levels of stress from viewing nature.

So, let’s get our relaxation started and see how can we use nature to manage our stress. First, give yourself 5 to 10 minutes. A coffee or tea break works well and you can take that beverage of choice with you. You can even set your cell phone’s timer to make sure you stay within your time frame. We don’t want to be stressed about going overtime.

So what are the ways we can use nature to destress. Let’s try…

LOOKING AT NATURE

Walk out your door or look out your window for tress, plants, flowers. Or playful animals, birds singing, soaring or hanging out. Observe the details, textures, colors, shadings. How light makes the colors change. Just watch, listen and enjoy.

NO NATURE IN YOUR AREA? ALLERGIES? No Problem.

LISTENING TO NATURE

Birds. Crickets. They usually help us to relax. Or you can find videos with nature sounds on smartphone apps, google searches, and very easily on You Tube. Type in the search area “Nature Sounds” or “Nature Music”. Get in a comfy chair and watch or listen to nature sounds. Or use music sites like Pandora. Pick your favorite sounds like the ocean, streams, rain in the forests or even wind blowing in a desert. Whatever gets you the most relaxed.

Close your eyes or use an eye cover. Imagine yourself there looking at the beautiful nature that you’re hearing. Or imagine you’re walking around in that environment or sitting by it. It absolutely works!

YOU DON’T REALLY LIKE NATURE?? No Problem.

LISTENING TO CALMING MUSIC

Those same sources you found for nature sounds also provide calming music. Or a combination of music and nature. Okay, this article is about using nature, but using calming music that works with the natural rhythms of your body still counts as nature. Well close enough. When choosing your music be sure the pace or rhythm of it is about the same as a beating heart. A relaxed beating heart. If the beat or pace is too fast it can have the opposite effect of your stressing less goal. If you really want that upbeat song, then get your dance on and enjoy being happy. While happy you certainly won’t feel stressed. While opting for the calming music…

Again, find a comfortable place to sit and listen to those soothing notes. Pay attention to the calming melodies and beautiful instruments being used.

SPENDING QUALITY PET TIME

That’s right, “quality” pet time.

The quality part comes from really focusing on your pet. Yes focus. Get your animal friend into your arms, lap or hands (depending on their size) and look into those cute eyes. Pet and feel the texture of their coat be that fur, skin, feathers or shell. For fish, well, looking and listening will do the trick too. Just really enjoy what makes your pet special to you. They are your friend too, so you deserve that time together. You only need those 5-10 minutes. Feel free to spend more time and I’m sure most of your pets won’t mind that extra attention.

USING AROMATHERAPY OILS 

This is another way to use the power of nature to help you relax. Essential aromatherapy oils use certain parts of plants, flowers, trees, bushes, and fruits to extract aromatic oils. They range in price from about $5 to very pricy ($$$). A price for every budget. You can find these oils at most drug stores. But you will find a better selection and usually price at specialty markets such as Sprouts or Whole Foods. They usually have testers so you can sniff what aromas you love the best. But current restrictions may not allow you to do that. Of course, there are many online choices like Amazon or one of my favorite Mountain Rose Herb. 

Some great oils known for relaxing are Lavender, Sweet Orange and Ylang-Ylang. Some people also feel relaxed with Peppermint, Bergamot or Rosemary oils. Whichever helps you feel calm.

Once you have the oil(s) you want to use, it can be applied by mixing a drop or two (follow any instructions) with about a teaspoon of oil (olive, coconut, canola or any non-smelling light oil or lotion works fine) and apply to the bend of your elbow, a little bit on your chest and on the bottoms of your feet if you’d like. (Put socks or slippers on so you don’t slip from the oil.) You can also use a diffuser instead (like the one shown above) which uses water mists or a flame to spread the aroma around the area you’re in. 

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

You can mix and match any of the above nature suggestions to your liking. Some aromatherapy oils while listening to nature sound as an example. If you are doing any of these in a work environment, please be mindful of noise volumes and aromas that your coworkers may be allergic to. Headphones or ear buds are very helpful in such an environment. Or if you’re at home and you have kids crying etc, using headphones or earbuds to relax while your partner, family or friend watches the kid(s) is sublime. Or take 5 minutes during their nap time.

If you have other experiences on how nature has helped you, please let me know in your comments.  

Practice these techniques for awhile and see you next time for the next way you can Stress Less in 5 to 10 minutes TODAY. 

YouTube Video Using Nature to Reduce Stress