When so much around us is changing so fast, we need to generate our own stability.
Becoming better at this is our first step to becoming antifragile.
One of the four ways that Inner Leadership recommends to build this inner stability is to spend time in nature. And as more and more people are discovering, this not only reconnects us with Nature it also reconnects us with ourselves.
Now, even the World Economic Forum has recognised that “disconnection from nature can be bad for our mental health” and “civilized life may be causing you psychological trauma.”
They also describe a solution: the Japanese practice of forest bathing.
Forest bathing has been proven to reduce stress and to lower our heart rate and blood pressure. The reason is that trees give off essential oils called phytoncides. These protect the trees from insects and bacteria. And somehow, when we breathe them in, they also boost our immune systems.
Spending time in a forest also benefits us in several other ways. But the bottom line is that 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