Too often we think that exercising and having a healthy lifestyle means going to an indoor gym, running on a big metal machine while being surrounded by tons of people, in artificial light and blaring music. What happened to the days when our daily lives were our exercise? Why not rather going for a sunset stroll on the beach or practicing yoga at your local park?
Certainly, that gym session had a positive effect on your physic but what about the rest of your body? What about your mental and spiritual wellbeing? As a Walldorf early childhood educator, one of the pillars of the daily routine of the children is to spend time in nature daily. The philosophy behind it being that being in nature makes you feel connected, you are moving your body over uneven surfaces, breathing fresh air and receiving sunlight on your skin. All things that support health and wellbeing. It certainly goes deeper that that. The other need of connecting with nature and the world around you has a tremendous effect on how you treat the world and how you see yourself as part of the whole.
The key to creating sustainable environmental changes is by having a relationship with nature. When you spend time in nature with a daily walk you are able to create a connection and connect to the rhythms of nature. You will see the apple tree with its Luminant bursting green leaves in spring then rosy blossoms transformed to ripening apples. The apples will eventually grow and ripen with the summer’s warm sun and cleansing rain to the point that you are able then to harvest that apple for your own nourishment. A very different experiences that choosing an apple from a grocery store shelf that has gone through many hands and a long journey before it reaches your home. You have a connection and appreciation for that apple that goes much deeper then eating it because you are hungry or trying to eat healthy. If you continue your daily walks in nature you will see that same tree standing bare for many months, covered by frost and snow. When the time comes again for the tree to burst forth with its vibrant green leaves you too will feel like bursting with new inspiration and creative energy after the wintertime of contemplation and rest. Everything has its season and to be a productive human being capable of creating you too need an in breath of rest and selfcare. Through my own experience and through my years of teaching young children it seems as if many of our environmental issues that we are facing today could be avoided if we all started spending more time in nature. When you spend time in nature you develop a relationship with it and out of that a love and respect is formed that creates a desire to protect and care for our natural spaces. So, in turn by caring for ourselves we are also creating a bond with the natural world that will build empathy towards our environment.
We can go beyond the walk and challenge our bodies by bringing our running shoes and finding nice nature paths in our local area to explore trail running thus achieving our aerobic exercise goals. In Canada, we are blessed with an abundance of outdoor sports to take part in. In winter there is cross country skiing, snowshoeing, skating, etc. While taking part in those winter activities I have personally always been struck with an overwelming feeling of awe and gratitude for the natural beauty around me. The forest that surrounds the community skating ring that I visit gives off a feeling of Isolation and reminds me of the olden days when skating rings where on ponds in the middle of the forest. The quiet serene snow falling brings peace to my mind and heart, while at the same time nourishing awareness for beauty. In the summer there are many community sports to take part of or simply going for a walk and swim at your local beach could be your daily exercise. Being healthy and doing exercise does not need to be separated from your selfcare or social events. We can learn to incorporate healthy active times in nature that can meet many needs and at the same time grow our appreciation for the environment.
Love Sprouts 