Opt Outside
I took a few moments to break the home order to sit on my front steps and breathe in the fresh air.
Thankfully, I am forced to enjoy nature multiple times a day because of my dogs. But even with that, because of current events, I am not nearly spending enough time out of doors.
Enjoying the outdoors with my dogs
I leashed up my dogs, put my little one (Affie) on the tether in the front yard, and held on to Mocha. We sat, our faces turned towards the sky, eyes closed, lapping in the fresh air and the bright sun.
Taking in the scenery
Fortunately, I live in a heavily wooded, secluded suburb of a major city. The only man-made sounds I generally hear are airplanes overhead and the rush of cars on the nearby road.
I opened my eyes and watched the wind rustle leaves on the trees. There were no sounds, not even birds chirping, deer munching, or squirrels fighting. All I could hear were those newly grown leaves.
At this point, Mocha and Affie had both lain down on the pavement, reveling in the warm sun. I decided not to join them, as Affie is a barker and I had to keep an eye on passerby dogs.
I just sat, breathing in the fresh air. I was at peace.
The healing power of nature
I have always believed in the healing power of nature.
My first example is that greenery takes in our toxic carbon dioxide and converts it into clean, powerful oxygen. We absorb vitamin D which is good for our bones, and just being outside, without the onslaught of devices, electricity, and whatever else, is calming.
Sensory overload with being indoors
When I am indoors, I feel like my senses are overloaded by smell, sight, and hearing. I may have a unique case, but I find indoors dirty. This is possibly due to my pets, but I just view things indoors as musty, smelly, and gross. There is no way for the indoors to regenerate itself. Outdoors, that happens continuously.
Indoors, I am bombarded with the gentle hum of my air purifier, my devices, and other appliances. The tone of these noises is high-pitched and a little jarring. There is nothing natural about them. Outdoors, the noises are gentle, mild, soothing, really. After all, our species began outside. We are hard-wired to enjoy it and feel comfortable in it.
Indoors, lights and colors are extremely jarring to my eyes. Especially those red and blue lights from clocks, the bright fluorescent lights in lamps and that spooky haze in overheads? They are all very harsh on the eyes. Outdoors, light is not as hard. I revisit my previous observation. We are electrically circuited to handle the outside light spectrum. There is something more gradual and pleasant about it.
When I am outdoors, I feel like all my senses work better. I am more keenly aware of noises, smells, and sights. I am not bombarded by all this extra “stuff “that not only clouds my senses but my brain, as well.
I prefer to be outside
Nature is a very powerful force that commands all of one’s attention. It’s not hard to feel present and safe which, in turn, makes me feel calm and restored.
We came from the Earth, we (as in any species, not specifically humans) lived millennia without man-made constructs, and we will return to the Earth. Nature is a force that has the power to reset our bodies and minds for the better.
I always prefer to opt outside.
Do you like nature? What are your favorite outdoor activities?
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