For the love of nature
Recently I’ve been making a point, at the weekends especially, of spending time in nature and taking minibreaks. It is amazing how even one night away can relax, restore and rejuvenate. That is one reason why we’re now including a New Zealand mini-break in each issue (page 58) and have introduced Wonderful Walks too. We have so many incredible destinations on our doorstep.
On a recent trip to Whangamata, four of us embarked on a mission to a hidden beach. We dodged a downpour but the rain made the steep path down to the beach muddy and slippery. It meant taking off our jandals and sliding in the mud. It was worth it when we got to the beautiful beach for a swim. We were the only ones there. It was paradise and I was overcome with a feeling of wellbeing. Mud between the toes, then sand between the toes. Bliss!
Even if you can’t get away from home, studies have shown that just gazing at nature – even an image of it – can make us feel better and improve our productivity and concentration levels. It makes us happier and more relaxed. There is also growing research that shows spending time in nature can provide a mental health boost by decreasing stress, anxiety and depression. So we’ve dedicated this issue to nature – see The
Nature Connection (page 27). To illustrate this feature and the cover of this issue we spent an afternoon at Karekare, West Auckland, where, I think you’ll agree, photographer Sara Orme and model Olivia Lefebre from 62 Models created total magic.
For those of you who find relaxation through craft, we show you how to create your own terrarium (page 80) and the secret to pressing flowers (page 82).
And for the ultimate in DIY inspiration, take a tour of Annelies Zwaan’s amazing tiny home in Christchurch (page 70) which she made herself. Then turn the page to discover clever ways for organising small spaces (page 76).
We have also travelled the country to visit the home of Matakana Botanicals (see Good
People, page 100) where Danvers Devereux is successfully working with nature on his five-acre piece of paradise, and south to Dunedin (see Good Local, page 99), a city surrounded by the splendour of nature and location of this issue's Wonderful Walk to The Pyramids on the Otago Peninsula (page 61). The seaside drive to Portobello and the landscape are simply stunning. It fills up my spirit every time I visit. We hope this issue does the same for you.