8 Easy Ways to Self Care in Nature

Spending time in nature is immensely healing. When you go to natural places, your body self-regulates, releasing stress and returning to a neutral state of being. A review of the Physiological Effects of Nature Therapy in Japanese practices found in The National Library of Medicine, shows that spending time in a forested environment for even 15 minutes can reduce cortisol levels, pulse rate, and blood pressure.

Do you spend intentional time in nature? The more time you spend in the woods, forests, oceans, sand dunes, gardens, and rivers of the world, the more your own creative inner wild self will speak to you.

8 ways to receive healing from nature TODAY:

1. Take a walk outside.

In Japan there is a lovely practice called Forest Bathing, in which participants simply spend time in the forest, drinking in the natural sights and sounds. The core of this practice is all about presence and being.

Even if you don't have a forest outside of your front door, you can take a meditative walk. Turn off your phone. Let go of man-made stimuli. Listen within.

2. Breathe in Plants.

Breathe very deeply into a flower or local bush for 3 minutes. Rub the leaves or petals with your fingers to free the aroma. Aromatherapy is a practice backed by science.

If you think about it, your nose is a huge gateway right into your head. Fine essential oils like Frankincense and Tea Tree kill bacteria and essentials like Lavender and Ylang Ylang shift our cognitive processing centers, reducing stress and cortisol.

You don't need to buy a bunch of essential oil bottles from the store--just go outside and smell real plants.

3. Be an earth activist.

Put on some gloves and pick up trash outside on your next break. It may seem inconsequential, but humans create a lot of waste, and if we can get that waste into proper treatment facilities, we are helping to protect wildlife, waterways, and the landscapes of our neighborhoods.

4. Be a sacred ceremonialist.

Okay that was a little tongue in cheek. In fact, as media has become more prominent, many of us have become listeners and voyeurs rather than creators of our own song, dance, and art. The arts keep us alive, creative, and connected with the natural world.

Remember, paints come from plants and resins. Dancing happens on the earth floor. Singing is inspired by well-lived experiences.

As part of your self care, do something to reconnect with nature. It can be as simple as pouring a glass of water at your feet, as an offering into the earth.

Earth offerings nourish the spirits of the land. Be connected in the moment and share your intention with the spirit of the land around you. In an instant, you will feel less alone, and part of the important cycles of life.

5. Share Gratitude.

Go to your favorite nature spot and give thanks out loud for all of the life moments it has seen you through. In Reiki Training classes I teach that gratitude opens your heart and spirit to even more blessings. It is a healing frequency that can return us to the rhythms of the natural world.

6. Take in the Vitamin D.

Did you know that your skin actually creates Vitamin D when you are in the sunlight? Without enough vitamin D, your body and energy become easily exhausted, depressive, and prone to illness over time. So sit on your porch and run Reiki on yourself in the sunshine.

Absorbing skin through your skin can directly replenish your vitamin D the fastest way possible, and it only takes about 30 minutes, once or twice a week in direct quality sunlight.

7. Ground your energy.

This is also related to the process of earthing. Each of us humans gives of an electric charge. As living beings, energy is physical thing that courses through us. Sometimes that energy charge gets so ramped up it can create confusion, stress, and exhaustion.

When you ground your energy by laying directly down on the ground, your magnetic frequencies have a chance to once again reset to the earth.

Goddess help me but it's kind of like when you put your apple iphone on a magnetic charging bed overnight. 😂

Grounding your energy is an important recharge, and it can be as long or short as you’d like.

8. Hug a tree with both arms and a big smile.

DAILEY LITTLE is a healing practitioner, transformational life coach, ordained Priestess, and teacher who founded Healing Heart Reiki to help others navigate life with joy. She offers private sessions, and teaches classes in healing and mindset from a magical peaceful corner of the world in Northern California. For more info see: www.SantaRosaReiki.com

*Very cool Study.