Nature
It's well documented that spending time in nature can be physically and mentally restorative and healing. Whether you take a walk in the woods, do some gardening or go for a bike ride, taking a break from screens, loud places and the chaos of our everyday lives can help us center ourselves in peace.
Research has shown that time spent outdoors in sunlight and greenery is associated with many beneficial physiological changes, such as helping to reduce blood pressure and cortisol levels (a hormone associated with stress), while at the same time enhancing respiration and the release of positive biochemical hormones that help us to feel a greater sense of positive well-being.
Time spent in nature also has many mental, emotional and spiritual benefits including:
- Reminding us of the continuum of life and that we and our loved one are still part of something greater than ourselves.
- Providing a place and space to attend to our grief without intrusion from the on-going demands of work, family and everyday responsibilities.
- Allowing us to unplug from technology and find quiet, solitude and comfort in life rhythms that are natural, soothing and restorative.
- Reminding us of the beauty of creation and that - even in our sadness or sense of loss - beauty still exists.