It can be really difficult at this time of the year too want to venture outside when the weather is a bit cooler. However, it seems that it is so vitally important for so many aspects of your health and wellness.
Being in nature is known to improve your creativity, problem solving skills, reduce anxiety, release stress, reduce blood pressure, release tension in your muscles and help with emotional health and wellbeing. What a list, and what a great reason to not wait until the weather is perfect to spend sometime outside.
There is nothing wrong with snuggling up on the couch with a good book or movie, having some down time and relaxing. That is just as important, however, if the comfort food and PJ's in the weekend are becoming a little to comfortable it might be time to shake things up a bit.
The motivation and enthusiam to get outside may not be there, however often that comes once you make a start not before. One of the best way to overcome the obstacle of cold or wet weather is to be well prepared with the right clothes. If you are feeling comfortable you are more likely to enjoy yourself.
If you are feeling a bit stressed out, spending some time alone outside is an easy way to change up your mood.
A mindfulness technique that I find helpful is simply going for a walk and noticing things in nature. This helps me to focus my mind in the moment, rather than worrying about things that have happened in my day, or, that I still have to do. It's my interpretation of a walking meditation to calm my mind.
I find it is a great technique for problem solving, yet you are not focuing on the problem or solution, just calming the mind. The problem solving comes after, when your mind becomes clearer and calmer. Now you are more likely to see a solution to a problem, or, the next step you need to take becomes obvious.
Movement also helps to increase blood flow to the brain, which helps you think clearer and activates endorphins, hormones that give you that feel good sensation.
I focus while I am walking outside using my five senses one at a time.
5 things I can SEE
4 things I can HEAR
3 things I can FEEL
2 things I can SMELL
1 thing I can TASTE
By simply focusing on my senses I become present in the moment and am able to let the stress go, I become aware of where I am and whats around me. My mind becomes clear and alert.
Sometime we need time alone, however feeling connected to other is just as essential for our health and wellness and what better way to do that than spend time outdoors, with friends or family. Reconnecting in nature, sharing an experience, or an adventure outdoors is a great way to build relationships and connect.
Here is a list of outdoor activities that you might like to organise with your family or friends to get outside this winter:
I hope you are able to find some inspiration and spend sometime either on your own or with friends and family outside this winter. It really is important for your health at any time of the year, regardless of the weather.
Keep well & warm
Deanna
"Living your health & wellness lifestyle"
Being in nature is known to improve your creativity, problem solving skills, reduce anxiety, release stress, reduce blood pressure, release tension in your muscles and help with emotional health and wellbeing. What a list, and what a great reason to not wait until the weather is perfect to spend sometime outside.
There is nothing wrong with snuggling up on the couch with a good book or movie, having some down time and relaxing. That is just as important, however, if the comfort food and PJ's in the weekend are becoming a little to comfortable it might be time to shake things up a bit.
The motivation and enthusiam to get outside may not be there, however often that comes once you make a start not before. One of the best way to overcome the obstacle of cold or wet weather is to be well prepared with the right clothes. If you are feeling comfortable you are more likely to enjoy yourself.
If you are feeling a bit stressed out, spending some time alone outside is an easy way to change up your mood.
A mindfulness technique that I find helpful is simply going for a walk and noticing things in nature. This helps me to focus my mind in the moment, rather than worrying about things that have happened in my day, or, that I still have to do. It's my interpretation of a walking meditation to calm my mind.
I find it is a great technique for problem solving, yet you are not focuing on the problem or solution, just calming the mind. The problem solving comes after, when your mind becomes clearer and calmer. Now you are more likely to see a solution to a problem, or, the next step you need to take becomes obvious.
Movement also helps to increase blood flow to the brain, which helps you think clearer and activates endorphins, hormones that give you that feel good sensation.
I focus while I am walking outside using my five senses one at a time.
5 things I can SEE
- Colours around me,
- Different plants
- People or animals
- Things in the distance
- The ground in front of me
4 things I can HEAR
- The bird song around me
- Waves crashing at the beach
- Wind blowing in the trees
- Rain hitting my raincoat
- People or animals passing me
- Airplanes overhead or other transport
3 things I can FEEL
- My feet in my shoes
- My breath flowing in and out of my nose and mouth
- Plants I can touch as I pass them
- The wind on my face
- The rain on my hands or face,
2 things I can SMELL
- The sea breeze
- The damp native bush
- Animals I am passing or around me
- The scent from plants or flowers
1 thing I can TASTE
- Water from my water bottle
By simply focusing on my senses I become present in the moment and am able to let the stress go, I become aware of where I am and whats around me. My mind becomes clear and alert.
Sometime we need time alone, however feeling connected to other is just as essential for our health and wellness and what better way to do that than spend time outdoors, with friends or family. Reconnecting in nature, sharing an experience, or an adventure outdoors is a great way to build relationships and connect.
Here is a list of outdoor activities that you might like to organise with your family or friends to get outside this winter:
- Walking is always an easy option - whether it is up a hill, to the local cafe, taking the dog for a walk, at the beach, river, in the bush or in the snow. You can keep warm and active while you are outside and always come back inside feeling refreshed and more vitalised.
- Going on a bush walk to a hut and staying overnight is a great family adventure.
- Building a winter bonfire - What better way to keep warm outside, or have a winter BBQ over an open fire, hot drinks in hand.
- Drive to the snow, go skiing or sledging or just play outside in the snow, so much fun for the whole family
- Climb a hill, either on foot or on bikes and have a winter picnic at the top. Remember to take your camera to take photos at the top and create memories
- Visit the beach and make sculptures with the drift wood after a storm or wild wet day. Again remember the camera
- Visit some outdoor natural hot pools. Easy if you live in Rotorua. Our favourite being Kerosene Creek. Or, get together in an outdoor spa pool
- Down load the Geo Caching APP and look for treasure. There is Geo Cashing sites all over the world including your local areas
- Prepare your garden for planting in spring. Involve the whole family if you can
- Explore some mountain bike tracks
- Visit an astronomical club and go star gazing
- Sign up for a walking or running group or cross-country event.
I hope you are able to find some inspiration and spend sometime either on your own or with friends and family outside this winter. It really is important for your health at any time of the year, regardless of the weather.
Keep well & warm
Deanna
"Living your health & wellness lifestyle"
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