I will be the first to admit that I am not much of an outdoorsy person. I enjoy looking at pictures of the ocean, mountains, forest, etc, but when it comes to actually venturing out into the wilderness I usually opt to stay indoors. However, even I, as a self-proclaimed ‘indoor girl’, will admit that even the occasional appreciation of nature is a huge factor in leading a happy lifestyle.
Got a local hiking trail? Grab a friend (or go on a solo adventure) and climb that trail. Close your eyes. Take a deep breath. Open them. And really look. Nature’s true glory can lift your spirits in an instant.
Live in an urban environment or concrete jungle? No problem. Find beauty in the architecture. There have definitely been a few times I was wandering the streets of NYC and actually had to stop to marvel at a building. The afternoon sun gleaming off the marble of Grand Central Station can be just as good as an ocean view. It’s all about perspective.
It’s easy to get caught up in the distractions that often go hand-in-hand with exploring nature. It’s too cold or too hot. You?re getting bug bites. That hike was HARD. I was recently convinced by a friend to hike the Griffith Trail in Los Angeles and I have to admit, I complained incessantly as I trudged up the trail to the look out point. But once we made it up there and looked at the view, I forgot about everything that had been irritating me. As I looked out over the city with the sun beginning to set, an argument I had earlier seemed silly and my stresses faded. It was truly breathtaking.
I encourage our readers to take a moment each day to appreciate our surroundings. As they say, stop and smell the roses. It can alter your mood for days (or even weeks!) afterwards.