4 Unique Nature Inspired Activities that are Great for Your Health!

Also called ‘earthing’ or ‘grounding’, the simple act of taking off your shoes and walking barefoot on grass can nourish your mind, body and soul.

• Improves Eyesight

Our feet have many reflexology zones that correspond to various organs of our body, including the eyes. The second, third and fourth toes are the main reflexology pressure points for the eyes.[1] Stimulating these points can help improve eyesight. In addition, looking at the green colour of the grass is soothing to the eyes.[2]

• Gives You Healthy Feet

Walking barefoot is a great exercise for your feet as it strengthens and stretches the muscles, tendons and ligaments in your feet, ankles and calves. This helps prevent injury, knee strain and back problems. It also improves flexor strength which is beneficial for those with flat feet.

Have you heard of ‘sun gazing’? Try watching the sunrise before going to work or view the sunset after work, not only to experience the beauty of it but to also obtain its many benefits.

• Elevates Your Mood

The sun is the most direct natural source of Vitamin D which changes to calcium and phosphorus in the body that encourages the production of endorphins. This hormone gives you that feel good feeling which elevates happiness and satisfaction, preventing depression.

• Heals the Body

The ultraviolet rays of the sun, that are known to be the most damaging, are at the lowest during sunrise and sunset, making it the perfect time to recharge your energy levels. The sun can heal certain skin diseases (allergies, eczema)[1] and can also reduce the risk of osteoporosis.[2]

Ever looked up at the sky to watch the clouds slowly go by and wonder what shape it resembled? If you did that as a child, there are more healthy reasons to continue doing it now.

• Increases Focus

It is hard to stay focused when you are surrounded by so many distractions but cloud gazing can help improve our concentration levels. Try looking at the clouds for 30 seconds without losing your attention. Over time you will be able to keep your focus on the clouds rather than on random thoughts. This will help improve your attention span and make you more focused on the things that matter in your life.

• Enhances Your Imagination

Trying to determine the shape of the clouds is already a sign of using your imagination. Cloud gazing enables you to open your mind as vast as the sky, boosting your inner creativity and helping you generate new ideas.

Why meditate indoors, when you can get more benefits doing it outdoors?? The use of nature and outdoor space in meditation has been proven to yield major health benefits.

• Lowers Blood Pressure

According to a Harvard study, outdoor meditation can reduce hypertension and lower blood pressure, temporarily. While more studies are required on its long-term effect, meditating in the serenity of nature can undoubtedly reduce stress and promote a sense of natural healing.

• Great for Mental Health

Over 600 research studies conducted on meditation agree that it has the power to improve mental health, from depression to schizophrenia, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). By practicing this healing art outdoors – as nature fully nourishes our senses with its sight, sounds and smells, making us feel more intrinsically connected to the world – you can experience a tremendous boost to your mental health.

Research has shown that those who live near natural surroundings or devote more time in nature, have better physical and mental health.[1] Spending time in nature is known to boost your immunity. Japanese researchers, for example, found that people who lived closer to or near forests had significantly lower rates of lung, breast, uterine, prostate, kidney, and colon cancers. For those living in the city, we must not forget the healing powers of nature that can heal, soothe, restore and connect our mind, body and soul.