Welcome to the WOW Card of the Week series. A new card will be featured every week for you to think about, mull over, and maybe change something to fill your life with well-being and wonder.

Your Words of Wisdom (WOW) Guidance Card of the Week May 14-20, 2023, is here!

NATURE

Go outside. Look up. Be amazed.

Definition: physical world, including plants, animals, landscape
Other: outdoors, Mother Earth, flora and fauna, universe
Opposite: barren, void, nothingness

Our affinity toward nature is genetic and deep-rooted in evolution. The biological need to connect with nature is called The Biophilia Hypothesis. Super interesting. Nature helps us survive and is in our DNA. There are natural oils found in plants called terpenes that are critical to our well-being. Natural light is also therapeutic. Earth grounding affects our bodies.

Nature impacts health. Nature deprivation, a lack of time in the natural world, has been associated with depression. Nature helps us cope with pain. Being outdoors reduces stress by lowering the stress hormone cortisol.

WAYS NATURE HELPS WELL-BEING

-reduction in anxiety levels
-increase problem-solving skills
-heightened concentration
-improve creative abilities
-more grateful and appreciative
-mindful of what we see, hear, smell, feel
-alleviates feelings of social isolation
-reduces fear, anger and stress
-increases pleasant feelings

As we shelter in place and stay at home more than we usually do we can feel trapped and hopeless. Our daily lives have changed and we are faced with uncertainty. We are in survival mode. We can make the choice every day to do the best we can in these challenging circumstances.

INCORPORATE NATURE INTO DAILY LIFE

Walk outdoors, sit on the lawn
Plants scattered around your home
Natural scents-candles, diffusers, spray
Natural items as decor-wicker baskets, driftwood, rocks and pebbles
Get creative and draw nature, color flowers
Indoor herb garden
Play nature sounds-gentle rain, whale song, birdsong
Garden dreaming or doing
Fresh flowers
Open the curtains
Bath-epsom salt and scent of your choice
Look up at the stars
Study the moon phases

NATURE MAKES US FEEL ALIVE FROM THE INSIDE

Find the Good,
Becky and Janette


Originally posted on May 13, 2020, written by Becky Wilbur.

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