Sunday Short:
Oftentimes, the best thing you can do to rejuvenate your mind is to spend time outside. Personally, spending time outdoors in the sunshine is better than any medication or therapy I could possibly obtain for my overall wellbeing. In fact, a guaranteed, sure-fire way to instantly change my mood is to head outside. It is simply good for the soul, and where we were meant to spend time.
Reconnect With Nature
Camping, fishing, hiking, biking, boating, walking, running; whatever you enjoy, get out and do it! As much as possible!
- My family spends time camping together in the spring, summer, and autumn months. Not only do we reconnect with each other, but we spend most of those weekends outside. From morning until night. It’s very good for the mind and spirit. We get exercise walking and playing games. Each of us gets the “me time” we need.
- The healing power of oxygen. Often times, getting out of the office and home and into fresh air can completely rejuvenate not only your mind and spirit but your body as well. I am not going to get into the science behind it, just the logic. We were not meant to be trapped indoors in an artificial environment like a caged animal. I don’t know about you, but when I am at work and under fluorescent lights all day long, I can feel the energy being drawn out of my body. I felt the same way when I was younger and in school. That type of artificial lighting literally sucks the life out of me.
- Getting outdoors and reconnecting with nature is necessary for your overall health. For one thing, even if we cannot spend too much time in direct sunlight, every one of us needs the Vitamin D that the sun gives us. It is essential for us to have enough Vitamin D in our bodies to absorb calcium from our food. No wonder I feel so energized and alive when I am out in the sunshine!
Rejuvenate Your Mind and Spirit With Water
The sights and sounds of an ocean, river, stream, brook, or lake can be a form of meditation for me. When we camp, having water near our site is a must for us because there is nothing more peaceful than listening to the water flow when sitting next to the campfire or having our morning coffee.
- Natural stress relief. No medication needed.
- Focusing on the sound of moving water is mesmerizing. When you do this, you may wonder how something so peaceful can be so deafening! This means you are completely focused on the movement of the water. This clears your mind of scattered, unfocused thoughts and brings organization and peace to replace them.
- Spirituality. Being in nature is amazing when you think about it. Mother Nature, as always, is fascinating. The colors, the smells, the beauty…it’s good for the spirit and the soul. It completely redirects my focus from me toward a greater power. Individually, we are so small in the big scheme of things, and being outside renews my perspective. Whether you are sitting in a kayak in the middle of a lake or on a ship on the ocean, look around you. While this may instill fear in some, it gives me respect for all things bigger and better.
Take The Time To Unplug
Possibly the best part of our family outings is the ban on computers. My boys know that sitting in the camper playing video games is out of the question on our camping trips. We allow phones, to some extent. Usually, by day two, we don’t take our phones out of the camper. We forget about the phones. We may read books on our Kindles while we are at camp, but that’s about it.
The benefits of giving up some screen time are many.
- Everyone is so much nicer!
- My teenagers say things like “I can’t remember the last time I had this much fun!”
- We spend time together. When we are at home at the same time, we are typically on our devices in the evening, so we don’t spend a lot of time connecting with each other. I am ashamed to say that, but it’s true.
- We play games. Outdoor games (corn hole), board games, card games. We are competitive and it is fun!! We laugh at and with each other. It gets cut-throat, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
- We are making memories. Period. From being almost flooded out of a tent to building forts in the woods, my boys have great memories from camping, kayaking, tubing down the river, and more. I hope they will pass this tradition along to their kids someday.
- Learning experiences. Chopping firewood, snakes, spiders, and protection from critters are on the list of what we have learned and taught our boys and their friends over the years.
I hope this inspires you to get outdoors. It truly is a guaranteed way to rejuvenate your mind and spirit!
Until next time,
April
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