Relieve stress!
Momabear4411
Posts: 16 Member
Next time you're feeling stressed, don't hide from the world -- get out into it! The hot new field of "ecopsychology" claims that many of our problems -- as individuals and as a society -- stem from having lost our connection to the natural world. To this end, ecopsychologists may take clients on nature expeditions as a way to help them cope with their problems within a safe, healing environment.
Even for the most hard-core city dweller, there is no escaping our need for nature. According to experts, the natural world is literally "hardwired" into our bodies. As our psyches continually undergo assault by faxes, e-mails, reality cop shows, junk food, depressing nightly news reports, rush hour, and hundreds of other details of the "modern" world, it's no wonder that the gentle rustle of pine trees is so soothing.
Here are a couple of ideas on how you can bring balance into your life by incorporating nature:
Ecopsychologists note that their clients are better able to handle working through complex issues and feelings in an outdoor environment. If you have a difficult personal problem to resolve, take your journal to the park, the beach or any outdoor setting in which you feel most comfortable. The gentle effects of nature may help you more easily explore your feelings.
Try meditating out of doors (even if only on your balcony on the 37th floor). The simple act of connecting with your breathing in an outside setting establishes inner harmony.
Rediscover the joy of "playing outside." Take a walk, go for a bike ride, get up a game of old-fashioned dodgeball with some friends. Most of us have forgotten the exhilaration we felt as children after being out of doors all afternoon.
If you've just had an upsetting experience -- a fight with your spouse, a blow-up with your boss -- head to the nearest natural setting to cool down. Many people find that a walk in the park helps them regain their center and examine their feelings about the incident more clearly.
Even if your apartment faces a brick wall and the nearest park is miles away, bring a little nature into your life through a bit of indoor gardening.
The point of ecopsychology is to recognize that, even in this high-tech age, our inner connection to nature must be tended to if we're to live in balance. So get outside.. and get nurtured by Mother Nature!
Even for the most hard-core city dweller, there is no escaping our need for nature. According to experts, the natural world is literally "hardwired" into our bodies. As our psyches continually undergo assault by faxes, e-mails, reality cop shows, junk food, depressing nightly news reports, rush hour, and hundreds of other details of the "modern" world, it's no wonder that the gentle rustle of pine trees is so soothing.
Here are a couple of ideas on how you can bring balance into your life by incorporating nature:
Ecopsychologists note that their clients are better able to handle working through complex issues and feelings in an outdoor environment. If you have a difficult personal problem to resolve, take your journal to the park, the beach or any outdoor setting in which you feel most comfortable. The gentle effects of nature may help you more easily explore your feelings.
Try meditating out of doors (even if only on your balcony on the 37th floor). The simple act of connecting with your breathing in an outside setting establishes inner harmony.
Rediscover the joy of "playing outside." Take a walk, go for a bike ride, get up a game of old-fashioned dodgeball with some friends. Most of us have forgotten the exhilaration we felt as children after being out of doors all afternoon.
If you've just had an upsetting experience -- a fight with your spouse, a blow-up with your boss -- head to the nearest natural setting to cool down. Many people find that a walk in the park helps them regain their center and examine their feelings about the incident more clearly.
Even if your apartment faces a brick wall and the nearest park is miles away, bring a little nature into your life through a bit of indoor gardening.
The point of ecopsychology is to recognize that, even in this high-tech age, our inner connection to nature must be tended to if we're to live in balance. So get outside.. and get nurtured by Mother Nature!
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