Communing with nature on a regular basis can bring great benefits to body and soul, says psychologist Margaret Lambert in her latest column:
♦ As I write this week’s article, I am fortunate to be spending time in the heart of the Livingstone area in Zambia, immersed in the gifts of nature in this part of the world.
Beginning to unwind from the faster pace of regular life, it is impossible in these surroundings not to be reminded of the benefits of spending time in nature.
When we are caught up in our everyday and materialistic world, it is easy to overlook the need for replenishing our bodies and spirits in nature.
When we rush from point to point and moment to moment, we may find that we have little time to step outside, or if we do, it is simply to relocate ourselves to the next item on our busy agenda.
We can so easily become caught up on the treadmill of our hectic lives that we forget to simply breathe in the natural world around us.
Spending time in nature grounds us and refreshes our energy levels.
Taking some time each day to just be in the natural world is one of the simplest and most effective means for keeping our stress levels low and our energy levels high.
While spending time outdoors in nature, you could try the following:
1. Take off your shoes and stand with just your bare feet on the earth;
2. Visualise all of the stress leaving your body through your feet into the earth;
3. Take some deep breaths and visualise the renewal of energy throughout your body;
4. Take a walk on the beach or in a park;
5. Do some fun activity that you enjoy.
It is beneficial to spend some time in nature each day, and especially important when you are feeling that you are too busy or stressed.
This time of year leading up to the festive season can be particularly stressful – stepping out in nature can help to maintain composure and to keep things manageable.
♦ Contact Margaret Lambert: P: 8945 9588; mob: 0414 459 585 or visit her website.
