“You’re off to great places, today is your day. Your mountain is waiting, so get on your way.” – Dr. Seuss
“Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you’ll start having positive results.” – Willie Nelson
“Heaven is under our feet as well as over our heads.” – Henry David Thoreau
Forest bathing is an evidenced-based wellness practice that improves cardiovascular health, reduces blood pressure, reduces cortisol levels, decreases brain fatigue, improves mood, and self-esteem. These are just the highlights! Well, to my delight and my surprise, I picked up my April 2021 copy of the Missouri Conservationist to read through (always a delight), opened it and on the back side of the front cover there is a wonderful post about www.mdc.mo.gov/places-go titled “Nature is Healthy”. There are five listed positives regarding nature: physical well-being; eases stress levels; connects with nature and ourselves; brain energy boost; increase attention spans. Made me wonder if they visited my site! Fantastic to see the concepts encouraged and supported by Missouri’s Conservation Department.
The early Spring is such a fantastic time to be out with Nature. Just yesterday I noticed a long row of redbuds in bloom with the backdrop of spring green leaves popping out of some trees. The color combination was inspiring. Might use it in decorating at the Retreat. Will be out “Forest Bathing” tomorrow. Weeding my big flower plot at the Retreat! Once it is clean, there is the joy!