Get out there and enjoy the benefits!
WE ALL KNOW that ‘getting some fresh air’ is good for us.
It is only in the last 100 years that spending so much time ‘indoors’ has become the norm for most of us.
So much time at desks, doing email and office work, in class rooms, watching television; spending recreational time in gyms, pubs and theatres etc. For many, the time we spend outside is limited to moving from the car to whatever building we are entering.
What we all know intuitively is now being proven by science. For millennia we have spent a good portion of our day outside and in modern life, this has been turned on its head.
With stress being the epidemic of the 21st century and the adverse effects of it visible everywhere, we all need to incorporate ways to help us restore balance and to maintain wellbeing and be healthy day-to-day. Nature has a big part to play in this for all of us.
The Japanese ‘forest bathing’ is becoming more popular globally. Shinrin-yoku or ‘forest bathing’ was developed in Japan during the 1980s. It has very quickly become a cornerstone of preventive health and healing in Japan. Researchers have created a strong body of scientific studies on the powerful health benefits of spending time in a living forest.
The idea is simple: if a person visits a natural area and walks in a relaxed way they become calmer and achieve rejuvenating and restorative benefits to their health. It is amazing to understand how nature works. Many trees give off organic compounds that support our ‘NK’ (natural killer) cells that are part of our immune system’s way of fighting cancer.
The proven benefits of forest bathing include: reduced stress and blood pressure, improved mood, an increase in the body’s Natural Killer (NK) cells, increased energy, improved sleep, and a greater ability to concentrate. Regular forest bathing is proven to have even more profound benefits over time boosting energy flow in the body, giving clarity and improving intuition, deepening relationships and giving an over increase in the feeling of happiness.
Research shows that doing a daily swim in the sea is also great way of keeping you healthy and happy and has helped may people overcome a range of mental health problems. It is proven to boost our immune system function, improve circulation, hydrate skin and improve general wellbeing. It also boosts discipline and confidence. A walk on the beach or by Sea will clear the cobwebs in the mind.
It is interesting to have science prove what we intuitively know.
Connecting to nature and life outside of us has to have a good effect. We can feel it when we are in nature. Problems feel more solvable and we feel more ready to take them on. We are able to focus our minds better. We feel more calm and energized. We feel more connected and in harmony within ourselves and to the world around us.
Nature is also a great teacher and puts life into perspective. It is always on time. It has tremendous strength and balance and helps us with ours. It is never in a rush and everything gets done.
It gives great inspiration and creativity. It helps us think resourcefully. Nature is diverse and has something for everyone. If you are looking for greater vitality, balance and a recharge, build spending calming time in nature into your regular routine if it is not already there. Enjoy the benefits.
Wishing you a wonderful week happens. They often look relieved and happier.
Health Stores are exciting places to visit. It’s the place to go to look after your health and wellbeing, both physically and emotionally. It’s full of interesting food, snacks, high quality supplements, natural body care, and household products. Many stores stock a wide range of allergy care foods and have staff with knowledge on how to prepare them. There are always new and exciting products in the health industry, health stores lead the way in keeping up to date with these trends.
Most people who work in health stores are happy to share their knowledge and experience with you. They are trained and are very familiar with the products they sell. They can help you find solutions to your problems, taking the time to go through the options with you. They can explain the difference between products, and point out hidden allergens that you may need to avoid. Most stores are independently owned and employ local people who will offer you a friendly smile when you enter their store.
Your local Health Store is far more than bottles on a shelf. It’s a place where your needs are listened to with empathy and understanding. Many stores have specialised people who can support what you are grappling with. They have advanced knowledge that can help you achieve optimal health.
Keep an eye out for talks and workshops that many stores run to help keep you informed. Members of The Irish Association of Health Stores follow their code of ethics for safe selling of products so you know you can trust them.