With so much around us changing so fast, we need to create our own stability.
One of the four best ways to achieve this is by spending time in nature. This not only reconnects us with nature but also reconnects us with ourselves: even the World Economic Forum has recognised that “disconnection from nature can be bad for our mental health… civilized life may be causing you psychological trauma.”
The World Economic Forum also describes a solution: the Japanese practice of forest bathing.
Forest bathing has been proven to reduce stress and lower our blood pressure and heart rate. The reason, scientists have discovered, is that trees give off essential oils called phytoncides. These protect the trees from insects and bacteria. And for some reason, when we breathe them in, they also boost our immune systems.
Spending time in a forest will make us happier, healthier, and more productive. It improves our feelings of well-being, increases our energy levels, and makes us livelier. And it also strengthens the stability and connection that provide our first step to becoming antifragile.
When will you next go forest bathing?
Adapted from Inner Leadership: a framework and tools for building inspiration in times of change.
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Photo By Joseph via StockPholio.net