 January is just around the corner and we all know what that means-time to decide on a New Year’s Resolution. Millions will flock to join a gym, enroll in a weight loss program, pledge to eat more vegetables, and have other health-related changes they want to make as they strive to be healthier. What if I told you there is one resolution that will help you enhance your whole being? Nature Connection. Yup, nature is the central pillar of health that not only impacts our holistic health, but the health of our planet. Setting an intention to connect deeper with our natural world will result in an astonishing number of benefits. What exactly does connecting with nature mean? It can be as simple as taking time to just go outside every day. On average Americans spend nearly 90% of their time indoors. Going outdoors and simply breathing in some fresh air, or gazing at the clouds passing by above you, can promote calmness, elevate joy, improve our ability to concentrate, help us sleep better, and combat loneliness, just to name a few benefits. You may be saying to yourself, wow that is awesome! Or perhaps you are more of a doubter and saying, it can’t do all that. The only way to know for sure is to try it and see if it works for you. This is why The Nature Nurse™, PLLC has created self-guided online programs to facilitate your deepening relationship with Mother Nature. My company also is now hosting in-person nature attunement retreats for women. These nature connection programs will teach you the latest research supporting that nature connection is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. You’ll learn how to create a sustainable nature connection practice, as well as tips and resources to make this a New Year’s resolution you will be adhering to all year. Best of all, you will have the opportunity to experience for yourself a wide variety of ways to attune to nature so that you can decide for yourself which evidence-based practices work best for you. Ready to get started? Check out various online programs and the upcoming Women’s Vitamin Sea Retreat now. You may find that you don’t want to wait until 2023 to get started! Be sure to subscribe to the seasonal e-newsletter sent out by The Nature Nurse™, PLLC to learn more about ways to optimize your whole being with nature. Go to www.TheNatureNurse.com and enter your email at the bottom of the homepage. 
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 This blog is intended as general information only, and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with your licensed healthcare professionals regarding your health. The Nature Nurse™, PLLC disclaims any liability directly or indirectly from use of this website or social media. Full terms of use statement may be found here: LINK Looking for a low-cost, low-barrier-to-entry exercise that can improve your whole self? Have you tried walking? Yes, you know, putting one step in front of the other repetitively. If this sounds too simple, think again!
A growing number of studies are touting the overall benefits to our minds and bodies when we engage in the simple practice of walking. Just how much do we need to walk? How can we stay motivated to walk? All of these answers are in the Morning Nature Walk Program and now is the perfect time to get started. As the days grow cooler, it is more pleasant to get outdoors for a walk. A recent study done by the Division of Preventive Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston found that women who walked 4,400 steps each day had a 41% lower death rate than women who took 2,700 steps per day. And the holistic health benefits continue to grow the more we walk and are dependent on where we walk. When you enroll in the self-guided, online Morning Nature Walk Program, you will learn a multitude of reasons why this simple practice is one you want to include in your healthy lifestyle toolkit. Are you ready to lace up your sneakers or favorite walking boots and get going to look better, feel better, experience more joy, and potentially improve your social life? Yes, all of these are just some of the amazing benefits that can be attained when we maintain a regular walking practice. In the Morning Nature Walk Program, you will learn how much walking is considered best, where to walk, and why. You will receive several tips, resources, and information on studies supporting a regular nature walking practice. If you have a comfortable pair of walking shoes, you have what you need to get started tomorrow morning! Assuming, of course, that you have been medically cleared to exercise. Our health is our greatest asset. Invest in yourself now and consider inviting a friend to join you. Learn more: Morning Nature Walk Program For a limited time you can get 20% off by using the code: TWENTY in the checkout. The Nature Nurse™, PLLC is honored and grateful to share nurse Megan Culbertson's brave story about how she shifted her life to help serve during the early part of the Pandemic in order to help others, and how nature helped her.  Covid halted life for all of us as we knew it. With the Pandemic surging in various areas around the United States, I opted to quit my steady hospital job and dive into traveling nursing. My husband, who could work remotely, agreed. In four short weeks, we downsized from an 800-square-foot apartment to a 35-foot Recreation Vehicle (RV), which would now be our new home on wheels. I took my first travel nurse contract in Washington, D.C. We fell in love with the RV life during our six months there. We were spending more time outside- exploring new parks and hiking trails, camping, and sitting by the campfire every night. For two people who love nature, this was our dream! Nature-based self-care has been associated with lower levels of depression, anxiety, and stress. Working in Covid Units, I was experiencing high levels of stress and trauma every shift. Living in the RV, with nature right out the front door, became the antidote for my work life. Living in an RV naturally lent itself to spending more time outside, allowing nature to ease the stress, and heal my mind, body, and soul. More Time Outdoors When you are living in a tiny space- around 200 square feet to be exact, your outside area becomes an extension of your home. Once we started living tiny, I found myself outside even more. Coffee on the porch in the morning, time around the fire every night, cooking out regularly. Our outdoor space is an extension of our home, and we love it. Camping & Hiking One of the great things about living in an RV is the ability to take you home wherever you want to visit. We have been able to visit many national parks, state parks, and campgrounds. If you feel you need to be even closer to nature, it’s easy to lock up the camper and take your tent out for a few days. Research has shown connecting with nature by camping, has even greater healing benefits, including helping us sleep better.  Time Near the Water Personally, being near water is one of my favorite forms of self-care. No matter what type of water- I find instant serenity. The RV life has allowed us to park near various rivers, creeks, and even the ocean. Kayaking has become a regular form of exercise and stress relief for my husband and me. We learned our dog, Declan also loves the beach. Our little family enjoys regular evening walks on the beach at sunset. Exercise, nature, and the sound of the ocean- a trifecta to reduce the stress of even the worst days.  Easier Traveling with Pets While owning pets can be one of the best parts of life, it can create a barrier to travel. Travel nursing requires staying in a place for 8 weeks-3 months, longer if you extend your contract. Short-term housing is limited and expensive- adding in finding housing for pets and it becomes even more difficult. The RV allows us to easily travel with our pets, allowing us to travel and get outside more. Even if you are just looking for weekends away, an RV allows you to take a pet-friendly place to stay with you. This can enable you to visit family, parks, and new places easier (and many times for less money!)  While living in an RV is not for everyone, I think so many people could benefit from owning, or renting, a small RV to travel in on weekends and time off. The benefits you receive from more time closer to nature are endless! Megan Culbertson, BSN, RN is the author of the Peace Love Nursing blog. Visit her blog to learn more about RV living, self-care, nursing, travel nursing, and mental health.
Are you looking for a way to get your weekly exercise requirement in, sleep better, maybe lose a few pounds, and reconnect to yourself or friends? Why not join millions of people around the world on April 6 by going outside for a walk. Even better, why not begin a routine Morning Nature Walk Practice?
The simple act of walking has immense benefits. Walking can help prevent diseases like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and cancer. It helps strengthen our bones, muscles, and our immune system. Low on energy, feeling down, struggling to sleep? Walking can help improve all those conditions as well. Struggling to solve a problem, or looking for a creative spark? Yup, walking can solve those issues as well. So, what do you need to get started? A pair of comfortable shoes and comfortable clothes is all you need to get started. If you are looking to make an investment in this new healthy lifestyle practice, that you deserve, here are a few suggestions to make your walk more pleasurable. Merrell Shoes: I am a big fan of Merrell footwear. Not only are they comfortable, but they also last, and are waterproof. So, if you are walking on pavement or on a trail, they will serve your feet well. They are available in women’s and men’s and come in a variety of colors and styles.
Fanny pack:
Investing in a good fanny pack is a purchase that goes a long way. Put your phone, keys, tissues, some cash, or a credit card in your fanny pack and you are ready to go not just on a walk, but anywhere that you don’t want to have to carry a purse or have your pockets weighing you down.
Earbuds:
Unlike walking on a treadmill in a gym, a morning nature walk exposes us to the many pleasant sounds nature offers. Listening to birdsong has been shown to significantly reduce stress. Allowing the serenade of waves gently crashing on the shore or wind whispering through leaves can also ease our weary minds and souls. Sometimes, however, it’s nice to listen to a podcast, an audiobook, or have a chat with a friend while we walk. Having a pair of earbuds on hand can add more variety to our Morning Nature Walk practice to keep us motivated. There are so many more benefits and enticing ways to make your Morning Nature Walk Practice engaging and a success! We invite you to purchase our Morning Nature Walk Program. Learn more about the science supporting this routine, tips, and resources to empower you or your team to successfully integrate this into your healthy lifestyle, and numerous ways to better connect with nature as you wander. See you outside! |
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