There is a wealth of research that describes the restorative power of nature: how time spent in nature makes people happier and healthier and positively impacts our physical, mental and spiritual health.

Nature can simultaneously calm and focus the mind.  Nature can stimulate our intelligence, improve our ability to pay attention, and think more clearly. Mentally, access to nature is associated with reduced stress and anxiety, better moods, more resilience, and increased happiness and life satisfaction.

The natural world is an effective place for the human brain to overcome fatigue and to be restored.  It can increase your vitality.  It’s no surprise: when you’re outside, you awaken your senses. Surrounded by the colors, smells and sounds of all the living things in nature, you literally feel life all around you. And as a result, you feel more alive.  Connecting to nature can also expand our senses and reignite the sense of awe and wonder we felt when we were kids.

Why is nature so soothing to us?  Some researchers hypothesize that since humans evolved and spent the overwhelming majority of our history in natural environments, we feel happiest and most at home in nature. In essence, we are hard-wired for nature.

Yet studies shows that the average Americans spends 93 percent of their time indoors, of which 6 percent is in their cars.  That makes only one half of one day spent outdoors in a week.

What are we doing indoors?  We are looking at screens.  Recent studies have found that people in the US spend as much as 10 hours and 39 minutes a day consuming media.  The more time we spend with new technology, the more likely we are to suffer because of it.  We have developed technologies that have isolated us from the natural world and made us disconnect with life.  “Technostress” is a term coined to describe unhealthy behavior around new technology arising from all manners of everyday usage, like checking your phone constantly, compulsively sharing updates and feeling like you need to be continually connected on social media.

The more high-tech our lives become, the more nature we need to achieve natural balance.  In his book “The Nature Principle,” author Richard Louv says, “A reconnection to the natural world is fundamental to human health, well-being, spirit and survival.” According to Louv, we all suffer from “Nature Deficit Disorder”- what happens when people don’t get enough nature in their life and the results are not pleasant: symptoms include anxiety, depression, insomnia, frustration, irritability and anger.

Research shows that nature is such a powerful restorative agent that minimal contact—as little as five minutes—can generate positive effects.  In fact, studies show that even just looking at photographs of nature can have benefits. Research done in hospitals, offices, and schools has found that even a simple plant in a room can have a significant impact on stress and anxiety.

It’s kind of a no-brainer: get outside daily and into nature!  There is nature to be found everywhere, even in big cities.

As I took a walk this morning and took in the views of the distant snowcapped mountains and plants freshly bathed in moisture, I felt a deep sense of gratitude.  Gratitude for the magnificence of nature and the feelings of calmness and inspiration it gives me.

Life is always busy– there’s the endless to-do lists, work, chores, and stressors.  Since I am sensitive to things, I try and remind myself of things I am grateful for and thank for all the goodness in my life. It helps me stay grounded.  It inspired me to share a simple tip to help pull yourself out of a funk, out of stress and anxiety, out of worry and fear.  It’s so simple– and it’s free.

Go outside. Take a walk and simply observe nature.  Engage your senses by really looking around you, seeing in a different way. Listen. Take deep breaths and feel the air fill your lungs. Slow down, observe, and let your thoughts fill with gratitude instead of grief.

There are numerous studies of how spending time in nature positively affects the brain and improves health. Even looking at photos of nature can improve your mood. Yet, most of us are disconnected to nature and spend little time outdoors.  The result is a disconnection to ourselves so gratitude and joy fall by the wayside.

I’ve found an easy way to clear your mind is to go outside and take photographs.  Since nearly everyone has a camera on their phone, it’s the perfect tool to take you out of your thoughts and just be present. You can use your camera help you focus on seeing things differently, to observe the details, to be curious, to feel inspired.

The only way to really do this effectively is to slow down. Make sure you put your phone on airplane mode so you disconnect to technology—that’s the point.  It’s all about seeing.  Observing. Slowing down enough to view the details.  In those details, your mind will calm down, your thoughts will shift, and you can let go of the angst over the to-do list.

I have been a photographer for over 40 years and I look back on the times I’ve wandered into places where my curiosity took me to take photos.  I didn’t think.  I just was drawn to a place, the light, a scene that evoked an emotion.  I got lost in my mind—in a good way.  Now, I take my iPhone on short walks and really focus on what I am seeing and feeling. In this simplicity, a profound sense of calm and gratitude washes over me.

I am so grateful for being a healer and being able to help so many people over the last 24 years.   I am so grateful that I can walk and see all the beauty that soothes my soul.  And thankful I have picked up my camera again and am tapping into my creativity which makes me the happiest.

My goal as a healer is to help people ease stress, anxiety and the worry that constantly swirls around us. Through the power of nature and art, I hope to educate and inspire others to reconnect to their true selves and foster emotional wellness.

Remember, it’s simple: Go outside. Tap into nature. Engage your senses. Let the details draw you out of your head and into your heart.  Appreciate the beauty and simplicity of what earth gives us to heal and think of the many things you are grateful for.  In this calm state of observation, you will feel happier, calmer and ready to take on the holiday madness with grace and ease.

I wish you the very best and am so grateful you have allowed me to inspire you in any way.