Happy Earth Day!

Hello All,

I just wanted to take the time to say: Happy Earth Day! Being that it is Earth Day, I am going to take this opportunity to talk about nature. Now, before you run away from the computer screen or your iPhone or whatever device you are reading this on, and think that this is another hippie dippie, let's love the Earth and go hug trees nonsense, just stop for a second and read this post.  

I am writing about how essential Mother Nature is to our mental health. We live in a world where our screens are king. Whether it's a T.V., phone or iPad - our screens are always on. With COVID-19 sweeping the nation, we are put in unusual circumstances at these times. We are probably spending even more time with our screens these days. Most of us, however, are using our screens for things like work and school, rather than to zone out on YouTube. But still in addition to going to work and school online, we may also be using our screens to zone out on YouTube, FaceBook, Twitter, Instagram and the like. 

Also, with stay at home orders now in effect, we are mostly staying inside now. This is certainly the case for me. I am a self-proclaimed "indoor cat." I have never been one much for going outside. I have never seen the draw and have always been more apt to stay inside and read a book instead. However, as of late, my sleep patterns have started to change. Consistently, every night for a week, I would go to sleep for a few hours, but not in a deep sleep. Then, like clockwork between the hours of 1 a.m. and 5 a.m. I wake up and cannot for the life of me go back to sleep. Or if I do it is usually an hour or half hour before the alarm is going to go off. So, after a week of this, I had had enough! That's when I asked my therapist about it and she suggested going outside. Not only going outside, but participating in an activity called earthing. Earthing is where you put your bare feet on the grass for a little while and really get connected with the Earth. Not on concrete, but on grass, real natural Earth. So, I took her suggestion and went outside and lo and behold! I slept so much better that night.  

Also, what has helped me is getting off of my screen an hour before bedtime. The other benefit of going outside is that it really does help with anxiety. If you don't believe me about this, try it! Make note of the state of mind you are in when you are inside looking at a screen and then go outside. Then, make note of what it is like when you are outside. I bet you are calmer and more focused. If you are not sure if there is a difference, go back inside for a few minutes and pay attention to your mind again. I guarantee you, you will see a difference! This is when I notice, when I come back inside. My thoughts are rushing around in my mind like a great white river. All of a sudden, when I go outside they disappear. Then, as soon as I come back inside, there are all of my thoughts, right back in my head, rushing around again. It is amazing the difference what a few minutes outside can do for your mind. Also, I was scrolling through Pinterest and I came upon a quote about this very thing that I wanted to share with you. The user that posted this is named ledbethlin. This is what she said:

"Do you know what I love? How closely nature is linked with mentality. A walk in the woods can calm anxiety, sitting and dropping stones into a lake can ease anger, even taking time to pot some plants and look after them can keep your mind occupied from dissociation. It's like the earth is the oldest psychiatrist of all, and it is always there to talk to, giving me a constant free prescription. Isn't that beautiful"

That is an amazing quote and so well written. It basically sums up the point of this article. So, to celebrate Earth Day, get outside and soak up some sun, plant a tree or plant or take a nature walk and just enjoy Earth's beauty. Today is the perfect day to do all of that. What are some creative ways you are enjoying Earth Day?

Happy Earthing,
Destiny