Today started off as one of those inexplicably bad days. You know the kind—the kind where you wake up feeling out of sorts, maybe due to poor sleep or creeping anxiety, or just a general case of the blues. Instead of wallowing indoors, I decided to take my reflection session outside. If I was going to lay around and mope, I might as well do it in my hammock, right?
So, I trekked to the far, unkempt reaches of my yard, dragging my hammock base into the sunlight. After pulling the hammock itself out of storage, I settled in with my headphones and a new book, while working on my tan. Within ten minutes, the sunlight had transformed my mood. The gentle sway of leaves overhead and the slow drifting wisps of clouds even further off worked their magic. Suddenly, my day didn't seem so bad.
This got me thinking about how often the weather and being outside affects my mood. Just last week, I was frazzled and frantic, rushing to get ready for what was supposed to be a 'lazy' pool day. Gathering all the gear and wondering why I agreed to this in the first place, my stress levels were through the roof—until I stepped outside and felt the sun. Am I really just a giant lizard in search of a sun rock? It seems more likely by the day.
I spent a beautiful afternoon swimming laps with my 3-year-old niece hanging on my back. (I joked about getting a 'toddler tan line,' but it was less funny when I got home and found a distinct tan line over my shoulder from her floaty strap.) Sitting poolside, reading poetry, and soaking up the sun, I realized something important: I am happiest when I'm experiencing the great outdoors.
Whether it's in the woods, at the beach, in a hammock, or on a hike, nature has an uncanny ability to ground me and lift my spirits. Don't get me wrong, I still hate camping, but there's something about the simple act of being outside, surrounded by the natural world, that promotes mindfulness and peace.
Mindfulness is about being present in the moment, fully engaging with your surroundings and sensations. Nature, with its endless array of sights, sounds, and smells, offers the perfect backdrop for this practice. The outdoors offers a sanctuary from the confinements of daily life, a place where I can reconnect with myself and the world around me. Whether I'm hiking through a forest, lounging by the pool, or simply sitting in my hammock, nature's healing power never fails to bring me back to a place of calm and contentment.
So, the next time you're feeling blue or overwhelmed, consider stepping outside. Embrace the natural world, let the sun work its magic, and find your own moment of mindfulness. Trust me, it makes all the difference.