Decompress With A Walk Through Nature
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Welcome to day 2 of the Mindful Movement challenge, powered by Humana!
You already know that movement is good for mental health. But did you know that being outside can also boost your mood? Why not combine both benefits into one mood-boosting nature walk?
Find a nearby trail with this search tool called All Trails. Grab a loved one, a good pair of walking shoes, and a bottle of water, then hit the trail. As you walk, try to focus on the sights, sounds, and smells that surround you. If you find your mind drifting to other thoughts, like your work or to-do list, pull your focus back to your surroundings. Use this time to tune out from the stresses of daily living and soak up the beauty of nature.
Want to take it up a notch? Try forest bathing — a type of outdoor meditation. It’s the perfect way to slow down while taking in the beauty that nature offers. Plus, it’s good for both your body and mind.
As you walk, follow these guidelines:
- Turn off your phone
- Keep small talk to a minimum
- Walk slowly and absorb everything around you — what you hear, see, smell, and feel
- Stop as often as you’d like
- Dip your toe in a stream, smell flowers, or lie in a grassy meadow — it’s all part of the restorative process of forest bathing
Don’t stop there. Use today as the first of many outdoor exercise sessions.
Let us know how it goes! Share your experience with us in in the challenge update thread here or in our private Facebook group, or on Twitter, or Instagram and tag us with #healthynurse.
Find this helpful? You can use the social media links on the left side of your page to share it with a nurse and invite them to join Healthy Nurse, Healthy Nation!
Missed day 1? Catch up here. Join us on day 3.
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10/12/2021 8:51am CDT
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