Go wild, feel better

Desperately in need of relaxation? Then a wildlife encounter may be just what the doctor ordered. One of the best ways to give your mind a rest from its daily demands and routines, the work and family deadlines that govern so much of our lives, is to get out into the wilderness and give yourself over to a different rhythm. Time flows differently when you are watching dolphins arc their way through the waves, or gorillas affectionately grooming each other. Absorbed in the entrancing sight, your brain goes into a state that feels very close to meditation. That’s not the only way that animal encounters make you feel great, either. The unfamiliar natural environment stimulates your senses, grounding you in the here-and-now. Add in the sense of childlike wonder that accompanies these experiences, a release of endorphins that makes you feel wonderfully alive, and you have a true natural high.