Spring is a time of ephemeral beauty. Lovely, yet fleeting. Before you know it, the delicate blossoms have faded, erupting into a sea of green. This week, I invite you to indulge in some nature therapy. Take a moment to notice and appreciate this special time of budding blossoms and rebirth.
You’ve probably heard about or perhaps even witnessed Japan’s spectacular cherry blossom bloom, known as Sakura. The Japanese have a lovely tradition that coincides with the spring season called Hanami, which translates to “contemplate the flowers.” It’s a time of cultivating and deepening attention for this special time, enjoying the transient beauty of flowers. Take a stroll through your neighborhood, a favorite local park, or botanical garden. Notice the flowers and take a few moments to examine them closely. Pay attention to the shape and texture of each bloom that captures your eye. Does it have a scent? Do you hear the bees buzzing around or birds chirping? Before you pull out your phone to snap a pic, try to capture the details in your mind. Study the flower as if you were going to draw it. If you’re into nature journaling, you might want to sketch your observations and notes. As always, take time to acknowledge what you’re noticing. Share your observations or feelings with a family member or friend, or jot down your thoughts in a journal. Tree hugs and kisses! xoxo Kelly About the Author Kelly Bruce is a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide/Trail Consultant and the founder of Natural Wanders. She leads forest bathing and nature therapy walks in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. Subscribe to her e-newsletter for more inspiration from nature and to learn about upcoming walks, workshops and retreats. Each Wednesday, she’ll provide inspiration to help you wander into wellness, naturally. In the meantime, follow along on Instagram and Facebook. Photography by @zailaffitte. This article originally appeared in The Swell Life, the official blog of Portfolio Vero Beach Magazine.
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Regardless of your favorite outdoor activity, there are ways to heighten the experience and maximize the pleasurable, stress reducing qualities. One of the many reasons forest bathing and nature therapy is becoming so popular is because of its focus on presence, intention and mindfulness. Here are a few ways to incorporate some therapeutic elements into every outdoor experience, from paddling, boating and fishing to gardening, hiking, horseback riding, biking and everything in between.
BONUS: Reflect. What are you noticing about your experience? How did it make you feel? Journal your thoughts or share them with a friend. I would love to hear how you’re elevating your outdoor experiences. Send a message or tag me @naturalwanders.us. Tree hugs and kisses! xoxo Kelly About the Author Kelly Bruce is a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide/Trail Consultant and the founder of Natural Wanders. She leads forest bathing and nature therapy walks in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. Subscribe to her e-newsletter for more inspiration from nature and to learn about upcoming walks, workshops and retreats. Each Wednesday, she’ll provide inspiration to help you wander into wellness, naturally. In the meantime, follow along on Instagram and Facebook. Photography by Kelly Bruce. This article originally appeared in The Swell Life, the official blog of Portfolio Vero Beach Magazine. This week I celebrate my 40th birthday. While I’m still processing the gravity of this momentous occasion, I’m allowing myself to feel all the feelings that accompany such a milestone.
In a youth obsessed culture, it’s not surprising that grief was the first emotion to boil up from the depths; thankfully it was short-lived. Then came gratitude. I’m literally and figuratively at the top of a mountain. I have the greatest perspective of my entire life, thus far. I’m more “me” than I’ve ever been before. And for that, I am so incredibly thankful. In the last three and a half years since I’ve discovered the practice of nature and forest therapy, my life has changed in the most wonderful ways. Nature has taught me to slow down. To savor every moment and each little treasure that life serves up. Nature has provided beautiful lessons about diversity, adversity and resilience. Most importantly, I’ve learned that nature is not separate from me, that we are one and the same. And by going outside, I’m actually going within. “Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life.” -John Muir By connecting more deeply to the natural world, I have strengthened my relationship with myself. I have love and compassion for myself. I have a greater sense of who I am and what I want to contribute to the world. As I reflect on my triumphs and mistakes throughout the past four decades, I can’t help but contemplate the advice I might offer my younger self, and remind my future self: Be kind… to others and yourself. Be quiet. Be still. Magic happens in stillness and silence, when you quit talking and truly listen. Slow down. Let go. Let loose. Get lost. Love hard. And ALWAYS follow your heart. Tree hugs and kisses, xoxo Kelly About the Author Kelly Bruce is a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide/Trail Consultant and the founder of Natural Wanders. She leads forest bathing and nature therapy walks in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. Subscribe to her e-newsletter for more inspiration from nature and to learn about upcoming walks, workshops and retreats. Each Wednesday, she’ll provide inspiration to help you wander into wellness, naturally. In the meantime, follow along on Instagram and Facebook. Photography by @zailaffitte. It’s amazing how much the world has changed in the past 12 months. Around this time last year, I was on top of the world. ‘Abundance’ was my word for 2020. I was hopeful, optimistic and downright joyful. In March, everything shut down; I shelved my professional endeavors and began quarantine. It felt as though 2020 was ushering in an abundance of crap. Raise your hand if you feel me!
Then I went outside. Nature is where I go to feel grounded, to shake off the blues and clear my head. It worked like a charm. Not only did I feel better, I was inspired. I saw that nature was flourishing while humans stayed at home. It felt as though Mother Earth was exhaling a long sigh of relief. The air smelled sweeter with less traffic. It was quiet. Wildflowers were blooming everywhere. Perhaps the abundance I envisioned for 2020 was a different type of richness. By getting out of my funk and breaking the cycle of negativity, I was able to find a silver lining in the pandemic. I shifted my focus from a state of lack, to a state of abundance. Instead of thinking about what was missing from my life, I thought about what I was grateful for. Once I felt better, my creativity and resiliency flourished. I began leading my forest therapy walks via Zoom and connected with people in 8 different countries around the world and 26 U.S. states. The moral of the story: Greet each day with gratitude and watch how it transforms your mindset. Grab your morning coffee, tea, or a tall glass of water and sit outside if the weather permits - or find a cozy spot on your porch, or by a window. Close your eyes and take a few deep, cleansing breaths. Think of three things you’re grateful for – big or small, it doesn’t matter. Visualize each of these three things individually for a moment. What do you notice? How does it make you feel? Spend 5 or 10 minutes cultivating your gratitude practice each day. You might even consider starting a gratitude journal so you can look back on the things that fill your life with joy. About the Author Kelly Bruce is a Certified Nature and Forest Therapy Guide/Trail Consultant and the founder of Natural Wanders. She leads forest bathing and nature therapy walks in the Blue Ridge and Smoky Mountains of Western North Carolina. Subscribe to her e-newsletter for more inspiration from nature and to learn about upcoming walks, workshops and retreats. Each Wednesday, she’ll provide inspiration to help you wander into wellness, naturally. In the meantime, follow along on Instagram and Facebook. Photography by @zailaffitte. |
Welcome! I'm Kelly Bruce, a certified nature and forest therapy guide. Read on for inspiration on improving your overall wellbeing, naturally!
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