Healthy Living

When was the last time you really just took in the textures, smells, and sounds of the forest? If you’re like the majority of Americans, your access to the forest may be limited. According to census data, 80% of the US population lives in urban areas. On top of that factor, most people find themselves living in multiple boxes (whether that is a car, house, or office) enclosed from the outside environment. Our senses are meant to pick up more than just the sound of the A/C and hum of the computer.

“Forest bathing” is directly translated from the Japanese word shinrin-yoku. Skinrin means forest and yoku means bath. To bathe in the forest is to be completely saturated in the details one’s senses can pick up within it. During forest bathing there is no goal other than to sense what is around you in the forest amongst the trees. Shinrin-yoku is to be submerged in the sounds of the wind rustling the leaves of the forest canopy while you feel the wind through your own fingertips outstretched. To bathe in the forest is to slowly walk and to notice each fallen leaf alongside the trail as you gently pass. Read More

Have you ever wondered what wonder can do for you? Imagine for a moment you are standing at the edge of the ocean or a vast canyon. Or perhaps you are looking up at a skyscraper, or the moon and constellations in the night sky. That feeling of being small comes from a sense of awe and wonder and has big positive health benefits for our physical and emotional wellness.

A recent Medscape article defined awe as a positive emotion felt in the presence of something bigger than oneself that cannot be immediately understood. Awe leads us to change our perception, our frame of reference. It helps us see ourselves as part of something bigger. It helps us feel humbled and want to engage with and connect with others.

The beauty of awe and wonder is how easy it is. All you need is a slight shift in perspective. And what better time than spring to see the world anew? Wonder comes naturally to kids; their worlds haven’t been adultified. Have you ever seen a baby pet a dog or cat? But even if you’ve got adulting coming out of your ears, you can reap the benefits of wonder and Read More

Benefits of Pets

We have all had our ups and downs throughout this past year. And, for many of us, our pets have been by our side throughout. Pet adoptions have been through the roof this past year as more and more of us seek to fill in the social gaps left to us through the isolation of the pandemic. Adoption of pets has been so high that some shelters are running out! In many places rates of adoption have increased by up to 50%. Let’s take a look at why loving a pet is another aspect of healthy living. Read More