SUNSET on the GREAT POND a good excuse to shirk work
Take 28 seconds to see the reason I haven’t posted in over 30 days.
What have you been up to this summer?
ECO-TIPS – get your outdoors on
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There’s been a lot of buzz since Richard Louv coined the phrase “Nature Deficit Disorder” in his book Last Child in the Woods . Nature Deficit Disorder is a general term for the side effects – like anxiety, depression and obesity – of spending too little time in nature. And it’s not just kids that are suffering from NDD – adults are so plugged in to the virtual world these days, we’re missing out on the wonders of the natural world.
Humans are hard-wired to love nature – seeing it, smelling it, just being in it stimulates all our senses and gives us joy. And research shows nature’s therapeutic effects, lowering blood pressure, slashing stress and boosting immune function. Time we spend in nature even makes us more caring and compassionate. The more we get outdoors, the more we realize that our own health is intertwined with the health of our environment.
If you’re having a tough time “getting out more,” take a cue from Todd Christopher of Green Hour. He recommends a one-hour daily dose of outdoors for healthier, happier kids. But this prescription applies to all ages, so get out there and get your green on:
Hit the trails on two feet, or two wheels. Invest in items to up your adventure factor, like binoculars, books on local flora and fauna, or a handy nature app.
Take a dip in the nearest lake or ocean. Feel the sand between your toes. Smell the salt air. Collect shells and unique pebbles. Rinse, repeat.
Cultivate your green thumb. Start a garden with your favorite flowers, fruits and vegetables. Share your bounty with family and friends, or give back to Mother Nature by creating a National Wildlife Federation certified habitat in your own backyard.
Rethink your vacation. Consider a day trip or vacation to one of 398 glorious National Parks
“Park” close to home... You don’t need an exotic destination to fill the nature prescription – any town park or playground with a decent patch of greenery will do.
courtesy muddyplimsolls.com
…and “park” at home. Maximize your nature fix by bringing the outdoors in. Many beautiful indoor varieties of houseplants also detox the air. A windowsill herb garden is a snap to grow and maintain. And some choice ambient nature sounds can temporarily transform your home office or bedroom into soothing rainforest.
How do you get your green on?
BEAUTY REST – sleep better tonight
If you feel like you’re too busy to sleep – or too stressed to sleep well – you’re not alone. At the end of a long day working and tending to others, eight hours of shut-eye can feel like a luxury you just can’t afford.
But the truth is, you can’t afford not to get your rest. It is absolutely essential to your health – and beauty. Adequate sleep increases productivity and quality of life while significantly reducing the risk of disease and weight gain. And a good snooze gives your beauty products a chance to do their job. Your cells regenerate at night while you’re in dreamland, improving your skin texture and tone. They don’t call it beauty sleep for nothing!
Here are a few strategies for restocking your sleep bank:
Lay low on the Joe, and the cocktails, in the afternoon and evening. Resist the urge to reach for a latte at 3 o’clock. Or to unwind with a few glasses of wine after dinner. We know it’s tough, but caffeine and alcohol wreak serious havoc on your natural sleep cycles. Try satisfying your cravings with herbal teas, like citrus chamomile or vanilla rooibos, with a touch of honey, milk or lemon.
Take a hike. Aim for 45 minutes of exercise a day. Hit the gym during lunch, try a new Crossfit class, or hike with a friend. If that’s a stretch for your schedule, break your exercise into more manageable chunks of time. Walk briskly to the grocery store instead of driving. Bring the kids to the pool and dive in yourself. Take the stairs instead of the elevator. Small snippets of activity can really add up.
Give your bedtime routine a makeover. A consistent bedtime routine is critical to good sleep hygiene. Go to bed at the same time each night, even on the weekends. Take a leisurely stroll, do some gentle stretches, or take a hot bath each evening. An hour or so before bed, dim the lights in your house to increase your natural melatonin production, and turn off all screen devices (no Facebook!) And make sure your bedroom is a dark, peaceful haven. This will signal your body that it’s time to hit the hay.
Take five. Every day, pause for 5-10 minutes and do – well, absolutely nothing! Or brush up on your relaxation techniques:
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Listen to soft, ambient music
- 4/7/8 Deep Breathing – breathe in for 4 counts, hold for 7 counts, then exhale for 8 counts. Repeat for ten breaths.
How do you relax and get a good night’s sleep?