Skills Group Community Group
This group is for those who wish to recover or improve their life, coping abilities, distress tolerance or emotions. Each month I will select a topic, and information will be provide on that topic with activities to work through designed to engage you or aid in your recovery. The point will be to try the exercises and then we can discuss what works and what does not work...
Well, Leo, you inspired me to look for a research study on the mental health benefits of Nature and here it is.
https://news.stanford.edu/2015/06/30/hiking-mental-health-063015/
So I challenge each of you to get out in nature and be mindful of how you feel when you do. It would be best to go outside for this exercise, perhaps a park, lake, woods, etc Howe ver, if you really cannot go out side due to anxiety, fear or illness that is ok. You can still do this exercise. Open a window and breath in the fresh air, listen to the noise, birds, trees, wind. Filter out the other noises such as traffic or sirens. Notice the blue skies or the rain or just the clouds. Drink it in.
Perhaps even journal how you feel before you start the exercise and journal after the exercise to see if you can actual notice an improvement in your mood, health etc.
https://news.stanford.edu/2015/06/30/hiking-mental-health-063015/
So I challenge each of you to get out in nature and be mindful of how you feel when you do. It would be best to go outside for this exercise, perhaps a park, lake, woods, etc Howe ver, if you really cannot go out side due to anxiety, fear or illness that is ok. You can still do this exercise. Open a window and breath in the fresh air, listen to the noise, birds, trees, wind. Filter out the other noises such as traffic or sirens. Notice the blue skies or the rain or just the clouds. Drink it in.
Perhaps even journal how you feel before you start the exercise and journal after the exercise to see if you can actual notice an improvement in your mood, health etc.
However, I am going and I am on the hunt for some cool nature pictures to see if my spirits will be lifted by 1) doing the opposite of what I would rather be doing. 2) by seeing nature and using my senses to capture the moments and memories, 3) By capturing these moments on the camera to share with others and have the reminders of this day forever.
I will be gone most of the afternoon, so I will check in later tonight and let you know how it went.
As a child, I spent most of my free time outdoors. It's why Nature to this day is to me Sanctuary. I can curl up and simply observe. Nothing is out there to hurt me. I am ot trying to conquer it. We're one.
Nature, for me, is an antidote to humanity.
Look forward to the update, CC!
Being outside calms me down So tonight I took a lovely country drive with the sunset, beautiful
Ended the ride at a lake and just watched the waves and drove home, very peaceful.
So, yes, getting out in nature and taking pictures are both helpful to me. I need to make sure I incorporate this into my week.