3 Ways to Connect With Nature and Quiet Your Mind

Published on: 03 May 2018 Last Updated on: 11 December 2021

Living near nature can help women live longer, with women in the greenest areas living as much as 12 percent longer than women who live in more built-up areas. You need to connect with nature to stay fit and healthy.

Although male mortality rates do not show as much of a clear link, making time to connect with nature has many positive health benefits for both men and women.

In fact, a range of studies have shown that regular contact with nature can improve everything from pain control to eyesight, as well as reduced stress levels and less anxiety.

But, that’s not to say that we all have to move to the countryside to take advantage of these health benefits.

Simply making time to connect with whatever natural surroundings you live close to is enough to refresh your mind and improve your health and well-being.

Here are three ways to connect with nature and quieten your mind.

1. Create Time Alone in Nature :

It’s great to experience the beauty of nature in the company of friends or family.

But, when we’re with other people, we tend to talk. This may be because we worry about what the people we’re with think of us. Or we might just feel the need to fill the silence with chatter.

However, the best way to connect with nature is by experiencing it alone.

Being alone in nature allows us to focus on what we can hear, see and feel in these natural surroundings. Whether it’s blades of grass between our fingers or the rush of water from a nearby river, you’ll become much more aware of what’s around you.

So, if you go for a hike with friends, ask for an hour by yourself. Or head to the park or even out into your garden and emerge yourself in the sensory experience that nature offers.

Other than hiking, traveling different beautiful locations is always a great way to behold the true beauty of nature and fall in love with it all over again and again. If you have the love for travel, you should consider traveling as much as you can and plan to visit some of the most naturally beautiful countries in the world. Some naturally beautiful places include the fjords of Norway, the Greek Islands, Islands of Maldives, Switzerland, Kashmir in India, Nepal and so on.

2. Find Your Special Spot :

You’ll find that as you spend more time in nature, especially alone, you’ll start finding special places that you’re drawn to.

It could be a tree you like to lean against when you visit your local park, or the rocks you often sit on to watch the ocean waves crashing on the shore.

Wherever you feel most connected to nature, take the time to really get to know it. Go there in the heat of summer and the midst of winter, know it by day and by night.

Noticing the small changes in nature as well as the contrasts between seasons helps you put things in perspective as you become more aware of how you are a part of something bigger than yourself.

3. Sleep Outdoors :

Since Americans spend around 93 percent of their time indoors, it’s important to actively seek out ways to experience longer periods immersed in nature.

There’s no better way to get in touch with nature than by waking up to a stunning sunrise, the sounds of birdsong and the smell of fresh morning dew. It certainly beats your alarm clock!

Make Time to Connect with Nature :

Whether you live in an urban area or in the middle of the countryside, it’s important for your mental and physical health to take time out to connect with nature.

Do you feel that you spend enough time in nature? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below, or contact us for more information.

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The Relationship between Temperature & Sleep

Summer 2019 is in full swing, which means hot days and warm nights. Temperature & Sleep has a close relationship with one another. While a nice sunny day is something that can be easily enjoyed in the shade and under an umbrella, sleeping in a room that is too hot at night is extremely uncomfortable and may affect your sleep! Below is some interesting information about how temperature affects your sleep. Assuming you’re a living, breathing human like me, your body temperature is higher during the day and then declines at night. The innate ability of your body to control internal temperature is through a process called “thermoregulation.” As you get ready to sleep, your body starts to cool down through this process. The process of cooling starts around 2:00 PM to prepare you for sleep and around 5:00 AM is the lowest body temperature your body will reach. Temperature & Sleep has a close relationship with one another. A cooler temperature is associated with sleep, while a higher temperature is wakefulness. This is super counterintuitive but even though you may feel like a slug in a warm environment, you could be able to actually get to sleep better in a cooler environment because our bodies cool down during the dream state. Keeping your body’s internal temperature lower while sleeping has been shown to support a longer and deeper quality of sleep. Cool temperature & sleep are co-related with one another. Your body starts to work overtime to cool itself when it becomes too hot. This is because the body associates heat with activity. Increased body temperature will alert your internal clock to be more awake and alert which disrupts all stages of REM sleep. Oppositely, cold comfort may deliver a better sleep. This is due to the fact that your body will be able to lower its internal temperature early in the sleep cycle. So you may want to think twice before you load up with all those comfy and fluffy blankets that we all love so much! Research shows that 60 to 65 degrees is the ideal sleeping temperature and anything higher or lower than this ideal range can make it more difficult to fall and stay asleep. Additionally, varying temperatures outside of the ideal sleeping temperature seem to cause our bodies to struggle to reach the ideal body temperature for sleep. A Dutch study from 2008 evaluated this phenomenon by hooking up participants to thermostats and found that very small changes in temperature could prove useful to manage disturbed sleeping patterns. The benefits of sleeping in a cool room include falling asleep quickly, promoting anti-aging, and reducing stress levels. Cold bedrooms can promote the increase in melatonin, which regulates all of the body and governs many of the body’s immune, cardiovascular, microbiome, metabolic, psychological, and detox functions. In order to catch the best and most restful snooze, you might need to send the right messages to your body that it’s time to go to sleep by keeping a cool environment in the hours that lead up to sleep. Try out some of the following simple solutions to prepare yourself for a nice night’s sleep: Try to allow your body time to adjust and prepare for sleep. Make sure you give your body two to three hours before bed to start to cool down. A hot shower seems to be ideal when taken two to three hours before bed. Make a good investment in your bed, fur blanket, and be sure to keep it clean. Natural materials are best and are most likely to keep you comfortable. Make sure you keep your hands and feet warm. Keep your bedroom at roughly 65 degrees. In addition, there are several wonderful sleep gadgets out there to help make sure your bedroom is an oasis and you’re ready for sleep. Check out this article to learn more about various sleep gadgets that may be able to help regulate your bed temperature. Gadgets could be a great way to start improving other aspects of your sleep that you may be experiencing trouble with! So all in all, Summer 2019 might be about catching some rays and working up a sweat on the beach, but once you get back inside starting to cool off for the rest of the night might be your best bet to feel refreshed and energized for the next day. It seems as though the temperature has an important effect on sleep. Try to take a look back at your most recent sleeping patterns and see if your rest is being disturbed by the temperature of your room. Perhaps start a Temperature & sleep journal to keep track by writing a blog entry about your last sleep in the morning. We all could use a better-shut eye at the end of the day! Read Also: How To Sleep Better When You Have Cancer Ways To Sleep Well At Night As You Age 3 Health Advantages Of Good Night’s Sleep

6 Effective Ways to Improve Your Mental Health

Most people focus on building their muscles and abs to look good, but having a great body is not the only determinant of having good health. Another determinant is mental health which is often forgotten even though mental disorders are surging at a rapid rate for the past few years. Therefore, we should spend time building the health of our brains, and to facilitate that, we have listed here six practical ways you can employ to boost your mental health. 1. Develop a healthy net of relationships: Humans are made to be social animals, but loneliness has become the norm of modern times. We mostly have digital voices to talk to like Siri and Bixby. Some reports in the United States have painted an alarming picture that loneliness has the same impact on the lifespan of humans as obesity. Therefore, avoid isolation and prioritize your positive relationships, and even if you do not have any, look for such connections because they will help you in remaining sane in this insane world. 2. Develop the habit of exercising: A growing body of scholarship has found a concrete relationship between exercise and reduction in mental maladies like stress, anxiety, and depression. It is stated that exercise releases 'feel-good hormones' called endorphins, which relieve not only the depression but also improve the quality of sleep. If you find yourself unable to hit the gym, take up some sport like football because it is a more entertaining way of achieving the same set of goals. Although, you are bound to get injured once in a while, but do not let that discourage you. Also, do not take head injuries lightly and get a Neuroquant MRI immediately if you suffer a traumatic brain injury. 3. Keep challenging yourself: Do not get stagnant in your life, because nothing invites depression and anxiety more than monotony and depression. Therefore, even if you are at a good place in your life, keep setting new goals, and work diligently to achieve them. 4. Pay gratitude for all the things you have: Nothing ruins mental health more than negative thoughts like counting all the bad things in your life and practicing self-pity. Instead, make a gratitude journal and jot down all the small and big things you are grateful for, like a good family, decent health, your own home, a fun job, etc. 5. Watch your sleep: Sleeping is a crucial component of a healthy life, such that people suffering from sleep debt for a while tend to develop several mental disorders. Therefore, ensuring a quality sleep is paramount, but be aware that quality sleep is different from quantity sleep. For example, six hours of relaxing quality sleep are much better than nine hours of restless sleep. 6. Take care of yourself: Take some time for yourself and indulge in relaxing activities like traveling with your best friends, sleeping well, eating healthy, and meditating on the beach. Moreover, indulging in activities like massaging also have multiple mental health benefits like partial relief from stress and anxiety. You only live once; therefore, it is your responsibility to take care of yourself and live a life full of health, wealth, and wit, such that you are not left with any regrets. Read also: When Will Social Media Addiction Be Considered a Mental Health Condition? 5 Mental Health Benefits of Massage Therapy That You Must Know. 5 Protein Enriched Food To Improve Mental Health.

Journeying With The Dying: How Hospice Chaplains Facilitate End-Of-Life Spiritual Transitions

When individuals approach the twilight of their lives, they often confront a whirlwind of emotions—fear, regret, hope, acceptance, and more. This intense period termed the end-of-life phase, sees many grappling with existential questions and seeking answers to life's most profound mysteries. This search for clarity and solace is where the spiritual dimension of human existence comes to the forefront. Many turn to spirituality as a source of comfort, a beacon of hope, and a framework for making sense of their experiences. It's within this complex tapestry of emotions and spiritual quests that hospice chaplains, representing the realm of hospice chaplaincy, emerge as pivotal figures. These professionals dedicate themselves to guiding individuals through this intricate journey, helping them find spiritual serenity amidst the tumultuous currents of approaching mortality. The subsequent sections delve deeper into understanding the multifaceted role of these spiritual caregivers. The Integral Role of a Hospice Chaplain Defining the Role in Greater Detail: Hospice chaplains stand at the crossroads of spirituality and caregiving. They aren't just religious figures; they are trained professionals skilled in offering spiritual support tailored to the unique needs of each individual. Their role goes beyond mere ritualistic practices. They act as confidants, counselors, and guides, providing a listening ear, heartfelt advice, and spiritual interventions tailored to the individual's beliefs and wishes. Whether helping patients find peace with their life's journey, facilitating forgiveness and reconciliation, or simply being present during moments of deep reflection, hospice chaplains are there to ensure that the spiritual dimension of end-of-life care is addressed with the utmost sensitivity and respect. The Spectrum of Interfaith Approaches: One of the most remarkable aspects of hospice chaplaincy is its inclusiveness. Recognizing the diverse tapestry of beliefs and spiritual outlooks in our globalized world, hospice chaplains are trained to cater to various religious and spiritual traditions. Whether a person identifies with a major world religion, a lesser-known spiritual path, or even if they consider themselves secular or agnostic, chaplains are there to provide support. This approach ensures that every individual, irrespective of their belief system, has access to spiritual care that resonates with them. By adopting such an inclusive approach, hospice chaplains affirm the idea that every end-of-life journey is unique and every individual's spiritual needs deserve to be met with understanding, respect, and personalized care. The end-of-life journey is a deeply personal and transformative phase. While medical professionals focus on alleviating physical pain and discomfort, hospice chaplains address the soul's yearnings, questions, and quest for peace. By offering tailored spiritual interventions and an inclusive approach that honors diverse beliefs, they ensure that individuals and their families find the spiritual solace they seek during these poignant moments. Delving Deeper: Spiritual Needs, Interventions, and Family Impact in the End-of-Life Journey Spiritual Needs at the End of Life Seeking Meaning and Purpose: The imminence of death often prompts deep introspection. Many individuals reflect upon their life's journey, trying to discern its purpose. These reflections might encompass personal achievements, missed opportunities, unfulfilled dreams, and significant life events. In such times, spiritual guidance assists individuals in navigating these contemplations, helping them find peace with their life narrative, celebrating accomplishments, and making peace with regrets. Reconciliation: Estrangements and unresolved conflicts become especially poignant during the end-of-life phase. Many individuals desire to reconnect, apologize, or seek forgiveness from loved ones. The urge to mend relationships, settle old disputes, or express unspoken feelings becomes vital. The spiritual guide aids in facilitating these reconciliations, offering counsel, and, if necessary, acting as a mediator. Fear and Hope: The mystery of what comes after death is a source of both trepidation and anticipation. The fear of the unknown contrasts starkly with hopes or beliefs of an afterlife, reincarnation, or spiritual continuation. By addressing these concerns, chaplains help balance these emotions, emphasizing the transformative nature of death in various spiritual traditions. Cultural and Traditional Rites: Every culture and religion has rituals that honor the dying and the deceased. Whether it's a specific prayer, a song, a way, or even silence, these rites are paramount for the person passing and their family. Respecting and facilitating these practices is crucial to providing a sense of closure, continuity, and respect for the individual's spiritual and cultural identity. Interventions by Hospice Chaplains Active Listening: One of the most profound gifts a chaplain can offer is the gift of presence—simply being there, offering a listening ear. By actively listening, they provide a safe and non-judgmental space for individuals to voice their deepest feelings, concerns, and reflections, guided. Meditations and Prayers: Tailoring spiritual practices to individual needs, chaplains might guide patients through meditations or prayers that align with their beliefs. These sessions can instill a sense of calm, acceptance, and connection with the divine or the universe. Scripture Readings: For those who find solace in religious texts, chaplains can read passages that resonate with the patient's current emotions or questions. Scriptures, whether from the Bible, Quran, Torah, Bhagavad Gita, or other religious texts, can offer comfort, guidance, and a sense of continuity. Ritual Facilitation: Be it sacraments, candle lighting, or even non-religious rituals like listening to a specific song or watching a sunset, chaplains assist in organizing and facilitating these rites, ensuring the Grief Support: The dying process isn't just about the individual; it encompasses the family and loved ones. Chaplains extend their support to these grieving souls, offering a shoulder to lean on, words of comfort, and guidance through their emotional journey. The Impact on Families Emotional Anchoring: In the tumultuous sea of emotions, chaplains act as an anchor for families. Their calm presence and experience in navigating such situations provide a stabilizing effect, helping families cope more effectively. Guidance through Rituals: Families often seek direction in performing end-of-life rituals correctly and meaningfully. Chaplains offer insights, respect cultural nuances, and sometimes even take the lead in ensuring these rites are conducted reverently. After-death Support: The journey doesn't end with the passing of a loved one. Grief, memories, and the void left behind are real and profound. Chaplains continue to support families, providing bereavement counseling, helping them process their loss, and guiding them toward healing and acceptance. The spiritual dimensions of the end-of-life journey are intricate, deeply personal, and encompass more than just the dying individual. Hospice chaplains, with their nuanced understanding, play an instrumental role in ensuring that this journey, for both the individual and their families, is navigated with dignity, respect, and profound compassion. Continuous Education and Self-care Training: The importance of ongoing training for chaplains to stay updated on best practices and religious rites. Self-care Rituals: Chaplains must cultivate personal rituals or practices to manage their well-being. Peer Support: Engaging with fellow chaplains or professionals to discuss challenges and share experiences. Conclusion The journey towards the end of life is deeply personal, and the spiritual terrain can be complex. Hospice chaplains, with their expertise and compassion, play an indispensable role in facilitating spiritual transitions during this phase. Their ability to address the deep-seated spiritual needs of the dying and their families ensures that the end-of-life journey is one of meaning, reconciliation, and peace. Read Also: Navigating Healthcare: Exploring The Harvest Tech Achievers ETF Seven Stages To Creating A Patient-Friendly Healthcare App The Future Of Healthcare: Adapting To An Aging Society