finding ease in any season
As the weather begins to cool and we say goodbye to vacation season, it’s easy to assume that it also marks the end of a period of relaxation. But keeping in mind the value of taking time to rest, there is a way that we can integrate relaxing practices into our daily lives, even as we return to our usual routines and environments.
Nature often plays a pivotal role when we’re looking for a break. From camping and hiking to leisurely walks in the park, it's remarkable how we instinctively gravitate toward nature as a source of respite from the busyness of our daily lives. As we welcome fall, we can maintain our connection with nature to keep us grounded and refreshed no matter the season in life we are currently in.
Studies consistently demonstrate that exposure to natural environments, such as parks, forests, or gardens, can significantly reduce stress levels. For instance, a study published in the journal Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine in 2010 revealed that green environments foster lower concentrations of cortisol, a stress hormone, in comparison to urban surroundings. Another study showed that spending as little as 20 minutes strolling or sitting in a place that connects us with nature can also lower the levels of stress hormones in our bodies.
And perhaps, it is our body’s internal wisdom that guides us to seek places that are just naturally good for us. At Equinimity, we believe in the wisdom of the body - that its sensations and reactions can provide insights and understanding that go beyond what can be gained through logical reasoning alone. If we listen closely, our bodies have a way of telling us when it’s time for action and when it’s time for rest. Amazingly, it also intuitively knows where to find rest.
For Annie Colangeli, a valued community partner of Equinimity, bodies of water serve as sources of healing and restoration. In such environments, she discovers gratitude, joy, and intention as potent healing forces. For us at Equinimity, it's the companionship of our herd and the breathtaking desert sunsets that bring us ease. While the place may differ for each person, they all share a common thread — their intrinsic ability to nurture our being.
There is a lot of goodness that comes with connecting with nature. Its calming influence has the power to clear our minds and enhance cognitive function, enabling us to recharge our batteries and approach our daily lives with a sense of focus, energy, creativity and inspiration. A vacation may not always be an option, but a bit of fresh air to decompress in the middle of a workday can reinvigorate us for the rest of the day. Giving our eyes a break from the screen and looking at the greenery outside is also helpful. Or simply closing our eyes to listen to the chorus of birds singing outside.
We need not wait for a holiday to give ourselves a break. As we move into a new season, we hope to carry this awareness with us and make a conscious effort to integrate these moments of connection with nature into our daily lives. It doesn't have to be a grand adventure or a far-off destination. We can begin by recalling or noticing the sensations we experienced when we felt most at peace. What brought these sensations about? Can we find versions of these at home?
Nature is not confined to distant landscapes; it exists right here, in the everyday moments we may often overlook.
Nature is the small potted plant on our desk.
It is the scent of earth after it rains.
It is the ever-changing canvas of clouds in the sky.
It is the air we breathe.
We can nurture our well-being by immersing ourselves in the natural world. Its beauty and tranquility can serve as a constant source of ease and renewal, helping us navigate the changes and transitions that life presents.
________
Helpful Links
Annie Colangeli will be presenting a class on Restoring our Sacred Relationship with Water on Saturday, October 7th from 1 pm to 3 pm. She is returning to Equinimity from Martha's Vineyard Island and brings her water love and ocean magic to guide us in discovering our own personal ways of connecting and co-creating with this beloved, life-giving element.
Learn how you can join us and learn more about the consciousness of water, hear some of Annie's personal experiences of being in relationship with the magic and healing power of Water, as well as the joyful and simple ways of partnering with water on behalf of all of life. Please click here for information and to register.
Nature often plays a pivotal role when we’re looking for a break. From camping and hiking to leisurely walks in the park, it's remarkable how we instinctively gravitate toward nature as a source of respite from the busyness of our daily lives. As we welcome fall, we can maintain our connection with nature to keep us grounded and refreshed no matter the season in life we are currently in.
Studies consistently demonstrate that exposure to natural environments, such as parks, forests, or gardens, can significantly reduce stress levels. For instance, a study published in the journal Environmental Health and Preventive Medicine in 2010 revealed that green environments foster lower concentrations of cortisol, a stress hormone, in comparison to urban surroundings. Another study showed that spending as little as 20 minutes strolling or sitting in a place that connects us with nature can also lower the levels of stress hormones in our bodies.
And perhaps, it is our body’s internal wisdom that guides us to seek places that are just naturally good for us. At Equinimity, we believe in the wisdom of the body - that its sensations and reactions can provide insights and understanding that go beyond what can be gained through logical reasoning alone. If we listen closely, our bodies have a way of telling us when it’s time for action and when it’s time for rest. Amazingly, it also intuitively knows where to find rest.
For Annie Colangeli, a valued community partner of Equinimity, bodies of water serve as sources of healing and restoration. In such environments, she discovers gratitude, joy, and intention as potent healing forces. For us at Equinimity, it's the companionship of our herd and the breathtaking desert sunsets that bring us ease. While the place may differ for each person, they all share a common thread — their intrinsic ability to nurture our being.
There is a lot of goodness that comes with connecting with nature. Its calming influence has the power to clear our minds and enhance cognitive function, enabling us to recharge our batteries and approach our daily lives with a sense of focus, energy, creativity and inspiration. A vacation may not always be an option, but a bit of fresh air to decompress in the middle of a workday can reinvigorate us for the rest of the day. Giving our eyes a break from the screen and looking at the greenery outside is also helpful. Or simply closing our eyes to listen to the chorus of birds singing outside.
We need not wait for a holiday to give ourselves a break. As we move into a new season, we hope to carry this awareness with us and make a conscious effort to integrate these moments of connection with nature into our daily lives. It doesn't have to be a grand adventure or a far-off destination. We can begin by recalling or noticing the sensations we experienced when we felt most at peace. What brought these sensations about? Can we find versions of these at home?
Nature is not confined to distant landscapes; it exists right here, in the everyday moments we may often overlook.
Nature is the small potted plant on our desk.
It is the scent of earth after it rains.
It is the ever-changing canvas of clouds in the sky.
It is the air we breathe.
We can nurture our well-being by immersing ourselves in the natural world. Its beauty and tranquility can serve as a constant source of ease and renewal, helping us navigate the changes and transitions that life presents.
________
Helpful Links
Annie Colangeli will be presenting a class on Restoring our Sacred Relationship with Water on Saturday, October 7th from 1 pm to 3 pm. She is returning to Equinimity from Martha's Vineyard Island and brings her water love and ocean magic to guide us in discovering our own personal ways of connecting and co-creating with this beloved, life-giving element.
Learn how you can join us and learn more about the consciousness of water, hear some of Annie's personal experiences of being in relationship with the magic and healing power of Water, as well as the joyful and simple ways of partnering with water on behalf of all of life. Please click here for information and to register.